8:49 pm, April 19th, 2013
(FBI)
Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, one of two men suspected in the Boston Marathon bombings, has been captured by authorities.
The alleged perpetrator was taken into custody on Friday night after a confrontation with police in Watertown, Massachusetts.
The development came after an hours-long manhunt for Tsarnaev that intensified after he and his brother Tamerlan Tsarnaev, another suspect in the explosions, were chased by police early Friday morning.
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Tamerlan Tsarnaev was killed in that face-off, while his 19-year-old brother escaped, leading officials to put Boston and the surrounding area on lockdown as the investigation continued.
At approximately 7 p.m. Eastern, shots were fired in Watertown, leading to reports that officials had Dzhokhar Tsarnaev cornered.
He was reported to be in hiding on a boat in a residential backyard.
Shortly before 9 p.m. Eastern, it was confirmed Tsarnaev was in police custody, and transported to a local hospital via ambulance.
At a press conference shortly after the capture, Governor Deval Patrick expressed gratitude to law enforcement and the public, but noted there are “still questions to be answered.”
With the investigation ongoing, officials declined to provide many specifics on what exactly transpired, and what will happen going forward.
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The police commissioner revealed, however, that police narrowed in on the Watertown residence after the resident went outside, noticed blood on his/her boat, and lifted the tarp to discover the suspect covered in blood.
When officials arrived, gun fire was exchanged, and a hostage rescue team later tried to negotiate with the suspect before entering the area and taking Tsarnaev into custody.
He is currently hospitalized in serious condition.
At his own press briefing, President Obama noted, “Tonight… we closed an important chapter in this tragedy.”
He extended prayers to the victims and their families, and thanks to law enforcement.
The President also vowed that justice will be served, saying, “Whatever hateful agenda drove these men to these heinous acts… will not… cannot be tolerated.”
“We will determine what happened,” said the President, “and we will continue to do what we have to do to keep people safe.”
Gossip Cop will have updates.
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