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

Two chest rig packs in camo in front of a blue themed SWAT background and a logo for Tasmanian Tiger.
PatrolApril 6, 2026

Tasmanian Tiger Launches Modular Chest Rig 4xM4 & Modular Chest Rig Pack for LE

Tasmanian Tiger has expanded its Modular Load-Carrying System with the new Modular Chest Rig 4xM4 and Modular Chest Rig Pack. Both provide adaptable, low-profile load options for military, law enforcement, and SWAT missions.

Read More →
Security worker watching computer monitors, with a white area at top with a logo for ZeroEyes.
PatrolApril 2, 2026

ZeroEyes Expands from AI Gun Detection to Knife Detection & Suspect Tracking

ZeroEyes has launched three new product categories to extend beyond firearms to address additional acute safety threats and basic security needs. Knife detection and suspect tracking are now also available.

Read More →
GALLS logo against a white box set atop a blue-tinted map of Tennessee.
PatrolApril 2, 2026

GALLS Acquires CMS Uniforms

GALLS has acquired CMS Uniforms and Equipment, Inc., a prominent regional provider based in Nashville, Tennessee. CMS Uniforms, founded in 2000, has built a reputation for delivering stellar customer service and managing complex uniform programs for more than 670 accounts.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Police drone hovering over its charging nest against a blue sky background.
PatrolMarch 26, 2026

Brinc Unveils Guardian, Launching the Next Era of Drone as First Responder

Brinc’s new Guardian delivers 24/7 operations, Starlink connectivity, and a robotic charging nest that can swap batteries and change payload configurations without human intervention.

Read More →
image of trooper, shown from waist down, standing beside a police cruiser along the road and at right a headline Slow Down Move Over.
PatrolMarch 19, 2026

Colorado State Patrol Releases 2025 Struck-By Analysis

The Colorado State Patrol, after analyzing its 2025 struck-by incidents, identified one area for improvement: using traffic cones to provide advanced warning before the cruiser's location. Here is the agency’s final data.

Read More →
Image of a group of men in business attire receiving an award set against a black background and a Streamlight logo up top.
PatrolMarch 19, 2026

Streamlight Names 144th Marketing Group Law Enforcement Sales Rep Agency of the Year

Streamlight has recognized the 144th Marketing Group as its 2025 Sales Rep Agency of the Year Award for the Law Enforcement market.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Image of a group of men in business attire receiving an award set against a black background and a Streamlight logo up top.
PatrolMarch 19, 2026

Streamlight Names 144th Marketing Group Law Enforcement Sales Rep Agency of the Year

Streamlight has recognized the 144th Marketing Group as its 2025 Sales Rep Agency of the Year Award for the Law Enforcement market.

Read More →
DArk backgroundn with inset images of a fallen police officer and a ballistic helmet and headline Rife-Rated.
PatrolMarch 19, 2026

The Mission After the Moment

The mission of the Jorge Pastore Foundation is to support first responders through essential training, stronger community engagement, and mental wellness resources, all accessible and funded through donations, sponsorships, and foundation-led fundraising. It works closely with Team Wendy in the discussions about developing better protective gear for officers.

Read More →
Promotional graphic for Patrolfinder featuring a police chief’s headshot inside a circular frame alongside a police SUV in the background. The headline reads: “Built for Patrol: How One Police Chief Fixed Communication, Boosted Visibility, and Changed the Culture.”
SponsoredMarch 17, 2026

Built for Patrol: How One Police Chief Fixed Communication, Boosted Visibility, and Changed the Culture

Patrol work hasn’t changed—but the expectations on officers have. See how one police chief helped officers get the right information at the right time, improve patrol visibility, and strengthen trust without adding complexity or surveillance. This real-world story shows how patrol-driven technology can make the job safer, smarter, and more effective—starting on day one.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Woman kneeling with a Bloodhound in front of a white pickup truck.
PatrolMarch 1, 2026

K-9s Play a Critical Role in Finding Missing Persons

Real-world scenarios show that a tracking canine can detect and follow a human track several hours after it was made.

Read More →