Police Magazine 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.

More Patrol

graphic honoring fallen law enforcement officers featuring a uniformed officer holding a folded American flag, with bold text reading “2026 Roll Call of Heroes” and “363 Fallen Officers Honored,” alongside the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund logo.
PatrolMay 14, 2026

363 Fallen Officers Honored During National Police Week

In case you missed NELOMF’s annual Candlelight Vigil, here are all 363 names of the fallen officers whose names were added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial this year.

Read More →
Graphic honoring New York City Police Department officers as “Officer of the Month” for March 2026. The image features portraits of Chief Aaron Edwards and Sergeant Luis Navarro alongside department and recognition text.
PatrolMay 14, 2026

NYPD Officers Who Responded Quickly During IED Incident Recognized as NLEOMF Officers of the Month

Chief Aaron Edwards and Sgt. Luis Navarro were recognized by NLEOMF as Officers of the Month for their response during an IED incident and their actions that helped prevent harm to the public.

Read More →
Infographic summarizing results from a national survey on policing reputation. Ten key findings cover public trust, communication, demographics, media influence, local policing, AI concerns, and emergency response, using charts, icons, and statistics throughout.
PatrolMay 14, 2026

National Police Survey Reveals How Americans View Policing Today

A new national survey offers a comprehensive look at how Americans view policing. The study uncovers public sentiment toward local vs. federal police, communications, crisis response, the use of AI in policing, and more.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Product image of a Streamlight TLR-7 X tactical flashlight on a dark background. The compact black weapon-mounted light is shown in close-up beneath the Streamlight logo, highlighting its lens, controls, and mounting hardware.
PatrolMay 14, 2026

Streamlight TLR-7 X Selected as Standard Issue Pistol Light by Canadian Federal Police

The Canadian Federal Police will be adding a new duty pistol system, which will include Streamlight’s TLR-7 X and a Glock 45 MOS 7 pistol with a red dot sight.

Read More →
poeple dressed in dark clothing holding candles during a candlelight vigil.
PatrolMay 8, 2026

Fallen Law Enforcement Officers from Across the Country to be Honored During 38th Annual Candlelight Vigil on May 13th in Washington, D.C.

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) will honor 363 fallen officers who have died in the line of duty as their names are added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial during the annual Candlelight Vigil on May 13.

Read More →
Black small medical bag with supplies and a tourniquet at right on a wood table and a large headline at left What Should Be In Your IFAK?
Patrolby Wayne ParhamMay 1, 2026

What Should Be in Your IFAK?

What should every officer include in an IFAK? Sydney Vail, M.D., a veteran trauma surgeon and former SWAT surgeon, explains which components are needed and which are not, and stresses training.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
flashlight turn un and submerged in puddle with rain falling.
PatrolApril 30, 2026

Olight Releases 2 New Baton Variants & the ArkPro Ultra Onyx Black

Olight has added two new lights to the Baton Series, the Baton 4 and the Baton Ultra. One new Baton features up to 1,600 lumens on turbo, and the other 1,800.

Read More →
Black tactical helmet with bright explosion behind it to the left, Team Wendy logo top right, and headline Recon Tactical Bump Helmet
PatrolApril 30, 2026

Team Wendy Reveals New RECON Tactical Bump Helmet

Team Wendy’s new RECON Tactical bump helmet is configurable by color, retention, and accessories for rescue, tactical, and military mission needs. It features Zorbium foam pads, shell vents, and lattice cooling pads that balance impact absorption, airflow, and long-wear support.

Read More →
Black military style leather boot against a blue cobblestone background with a white Garmont Tactical logo.
PatrolApril 30, 2026

Garmont Tactical Introduces the T8 Specter LE Zip for LE Professionals

Garmont Tactical has a new 8-inch duty boot with a side zipper, the T8 Specter LE Zip. The boot is available now and features ankle support in a standard duty profile with polishable leather.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Streamlight searchlight and a scene light on a tripod set against a darkened street scene and Streamlight logo across the top.
PatrolApril 30, 2026

Streamlight Launches LiteBox 1Million & Portable Scene Light III

Streamlight has launched the Portable Scene Light III (PSL III), which delivers up to 10,000 lumens, and the LiteBox 1Million, a one-million-candela long-range search light.

Read More →