POLICE Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Feds Charge Boston Bombing Suspect

Federal authorities charged the surviving Boston Marathon bombing suspect Monday with using a weapon of mass destruction against people and property. U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz has not announced whether prosecutors would pursue the death penalty.

April 22, 2013
Feds Charge Boston Bombing Suspect

Photo courtesy of FBI.

2 min to read


Federal authorities charged the surviving Boston Marathon bombing suspect Monday with using a weapon of mass destruction against people and property.

Attorney General Eric Holder announced the charges and a White House spokesman said that Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, 19, would not be charged as an "enemy combatant." Tsarnaev had his initial court appearance in his hospital room.

Ad Loading...

"Although our investigation is ongoing, today's charges bring a successful end to a tragic week for the city of Boston and for our country," Holder said in an FBI release.

Dzhokhar, who became a U.S. citizen on Sept. 11, and Tamerlan Tsarnaev, 26, allegedly set off a pair of IEDs at the finish line of the April 15 marathon. The explosions killed three and injured more than 200 people.

U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz has not announced whether prosecutors would pursue the death penalty. The charges were filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.

"The impact of these crimes has been far-reaching, affecting a worldwide community that is looking for peace and justice," Ortiz said in the release. "We hope that this prosecution will bring some small measure of comfort both to the public at large and to the victims and their families that justice will be served."

On Monday, Dzhokhar was reportedly communicating with authorities in writing, reports USA Today. He suffered a neck wound during the manhunt. Ortiz said Friday the FBI interrogated Dzhokhar without advising him of his Miranda rights.

Ad Loading...

Dzhokhar was captured Friday evening hiding in a boat on a Watertown property after an intensive manhunt in which MIT Police Officer Sean Collier was shot and killed and MBTA Transit Police Officer Richard Donahue was critically wounded.

"Finding the alleged perpetrators of this savage act of terrorism four days after the attack on the city of Boston was a herculean effort and shows the true cooperation and dedication of the law enforcement community," said Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis. "We were relentless in our pursuit of the suspects. The arrest of Tsarnaev and today's charges should send a clear message to those who look to do us harm, the entire law enforcement community will go after you, find you, and bring you to justice."

Read the full criminal complaint here.

Ad Loading...

More Patrol

image of men on bicycles and women competing in martial arts and a log for the US Police & Fire Championships
PatrolDecember 10, 2025

Police & Fire Championships Expands Athlete Eligibility

The US Police & Fire Championships is now open to all employees – sworn, civilian, administrative, technical, and support staff – who work directly for an eligible public safety agency.

Read More →
Thumbnail for video series POLICE Topics, Tactic & TIps against a black background and an illuminated police car light bar. Headline for Tips for Watching the Hands
Sponsoredby Wayne ParhamDecember 5, 2025

Tips for Watching the Hands

How can officers better “watch the hands”? Mike Willis, Law Enforcement National Training and Program Director for the US Deputy Sheriff's Association, shares some tips.

Read More →
Thumbnail for video series POLICE Topics, Tactics & Tips with yellow headline 10 Tips for Felony/High-Risk Stops.
Sponsoredby Wayne ParhamDecember 3, 2025

10 Tips for Felony/High-Risk Stops

What steps can officers take to stay safer during felony or high-risk vehicle stops? Here are 10 tips from Mike Willis, Law Enforcement National Training and Program Director for the US Deputy Sheriff's Association.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Screenshot of compute screen showing a blurred license plate compared to an image where the image has been enhanced to show the numbers and letters.
Patrolby Edited by StaffNovember 25, 2025

Amped Highlights Power Behind Amped FIVE Software

Amped FIVE empowers you to advance your investigations with confidence and precision, from the crime scene all the way to the courtroom.

Read More →
Background orange tinted image of southern California with pushpin marking Burbank. Headline reads K-9 Killed by Gunman, Burbank Police Department
PatrolNovember 24, 2025

Police K-9 Killed, Suspect Dies in Shootout with Cops

A Burbank Police Department K-9 was fatally shot over the weekend by a passenger who fled on foot from a traffic stop. The armed suspect was killed in a shootout with officers.

Read More →
Thumbnail image with blue and red police lights against a black background, large POLICE logo, headline for From the Show Floor: InVeris
Patrolby Wayne ParhamNovember 23, 2025

From the Show Floor: InVeris

In this video, learn about how InVeris provides training to law enforcement, including customized augmented reality scenarios. The augmented reality system can scan up to 10,000 square feet of real-life environments and create a curriculum based on those spaces.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Thumbnail image for video series POLICE From the Show Floor featuring Polaris Government & Defense.
Patrolby Wayne ParhamNovember 19, 2025

From the Show Floor: Polaris Government & Defense

Learn about Polaris Government & Defense in this video as POLICE visits their show booth to discover their side-by-sides and the advantages they provide for agencies.

Read More →
2026 ford police brochure
SponsoredNovember 17, 2025

2026 Ford Pro™ Police & Special Service Vehicles Guide is Available for Download

Ford Pro™ meets the needs of law-enforcement agencies

Read More →
black background width image of police lights in middle and headline Dashcam Video Officers rescue Man from Burning Car
PatrolNovember 17, 2025

Dashcam Video Shows Officers Rescue Man from Burning Car

Dashcam video released by a New Jersey police department shows two of its officers rescuing an unconscious man from a burning car after a crash.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
blue background with image of a red dot sight and also second image of the red dot on a handgun lower right
PatrolNovember 17, 2025

Aimpoint COA optic + A-CUT Named Red Dot of the Year

The Aimpoint COA optic + A-CUT system has been named Red Dot of the Year by Guns & Ammo magazine. The new optic system was introduced in January 2025.

Read More →