2013 Boston Marathon bombing

On April 15, 2013, during the annual Boston Marathon, two homemade bombs detonated near the finish line on Boylston Street. The explosions occurred at 2:49 PM EDT, approximately 12 seconds apart, killing 3 people and injuring more than 260 others. The attack resulted in widespread fear and a massive law enforcement response.

The FBI released photos and surveillance footage of two suspects, later identified as brothers Dzhokhar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev, in connection with the bombing. The images, captured near the bomb sites, showed the suspects carrying backpacks and walking calmly through the marathon crowd shortly before the explosions.

Later in the evening of April 18, MIT police officer Sean Collier was shot and killed in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The Tsarnaev brothers attempted to steal his service weapon in an event that is believed to have been part of their plan to evade capture following the bombing.

In the early morning hours of April 19, 2013, the Tsarnaev brothers were involved in a shootout with police in the streets of Watertown, Massachusetts. During the ensuing chaos, Tamerlan Tsarnaev was killed, and his younger brother Dzhokhar managed to escape. A massive manhunt was launched, placing the entire city of Boston on lockdown.

On the evening of April 19, 2013, after an extensive day-long search, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was found hiding in a boat in the backyard of a Watertown residence. He was captured after a tense standoff with law enforcement and taken into custody. The capture marked the end of a dramatic and intense manhunt.

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was charged on April 22, 2013, with using and conspiring to use a weapon of mass destruction resulting in death. He was also charged with malicious destruction of property resulting in death and several other serious offenses. The charges were announced during a hospital courtroom hearing due to his injuries.

A memorial service was held at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston on April 24, 2013, to honor the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing and to bring together the community in a show of support and resilience. The service was attended by local residents, victims' families, and various dignitaries.

On May 1, 2013, a benefit concert titled 'Boston Strong' was held at the TD Garden in Boston to support the victims of the bombing. The concert featured numerous top artists and raised money for The One Fund Boston, a charity established to assist those affected by the tragedy.

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev pleaded not guilty to 30 charges, including using a weapon of mass destruction to kill, during his first court appearance on July 10, 2013. The hearing took place at the federal courthouse in Boston under tight security, as Tsarnaev faced a highly publicized and emotional trial process.

On April 15, 2014, a year after the tragic attacks, the city of Boston commemorated the first anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombing with a day of reflection and remembrance. Events included ceremonies and speeches from survivors, public officials, and community members, all honoring those who lost their lives or were injured.