SmashMouth

And they used ball bearings as scrapnel, those bastards.

90 + injured....

SmashMouth

So far, they have found three unexploded devices. They are checking everything along the marathon route.

SmashMouth

Louisiana marathoner Leo Verde, general manager of Sullivan’s Steakhouse in Baton Rouge, knew his fiancée was waiting for him at the finish line of the Boston Marathon. And when he saw two explosions up ahead, all he could do was keep running through the chaos to find her.

“I knew my fiancée was there, so I just ran through there,” Verde said. “People were coming my way, police officers, firefighters.

“I saw people without limbs, people without legs,” he said. “Thirty seconds more and I probably wouldn’t be talking to you right now.”

Verde said he was about 600 yards away from the marathon’s finish line when the first explosion rocked the sidelines of the race. He saw lots of white smoke.

“I thought it was like a cannon or some type of celebration,” he said. “I kept running.”

Then the second explosion hit.

“That's when I stopped and thought ‘Oh wow, this is not good,’” he said.

He veered toward the right side of the course, away from where the explosions took place, and kept running. When he found his fiancée, he hugged and kissed her.

“I was so happy to see her,” he said.

Then, wanting to get as far away from the scene as they could, they began the long trek back to their hotel. Traffic was at a standstill, and no cabs or buses were available, so they walked about five miles, he said. Since then, they’ve been trying to get in touch with friends and relatives to let them know they’re safe.

People in Boston are “numb,” he said. People offered him water and a ride to the hotel as they walked.

“The whole city’s in shock,” he said.

He said it was especially tragic for this to happen to Boston on the city’s “big day,” at a positive event like a marathon.

“Everybody’s cheering for you, it’s amazing,” Verde said. “For this to happen to them is absolutely horrible.”

Jeff Landry, a longtime friend of Verde's, was sitting at the Happy’s Irish Pub in downtown Baton Rouge on Monday afternoon. Landry scrolled through his Facebook account and brought up close to 20 messages showing support and concern for Verde.

“I was just worried about Leo,” Landry said.

NOLA.com|The Times-Picayune reporter Quincy Hodges contributed to this report.

Baton Rouge witness describes 'horrible' tragedy at Boston Marathon | NOLA.com

WhoDat!656

Anyone want to make a guess how long it will take the conspiracy nuts to post that either:

A. The government did it, or...

B. It didn't happen and no one was killed; see the Sandy Hook thread

Nemesis

I was wondering why we had an influx of security patrolling at work. My shift started around the time of the bombings. I guess they didn't want to alarm us and cause a mass exodus. Traffic will be a nightmare in an already dismal city to drive and park in. People here were aloof, yet tolerant pre 9-11. Hyper vigilant and suspicious after. I'm not sure how this latest incident will impact Boston, but it probably won't pan out well for certain factions.

These creatures will be rounded up soon

TheOak

SmashMouth

Boston is in mourning today for three killed and at least 144 wounded in a “cowardly” bombing at the Boston Marathon, leaving the tragedy-wracked city scrambling for answers as to how a terrorist was able to plant two explosive 
devices on a busy stretch of Boylston Street at a high-security international event.

“This cowardly act will not be taken in stride,” Boston Police Commissioner Edward F. Davis said. “We will turn over every rock to find those responsible.”

The 2:50 p.m. double bombing shattered the bliss of the sun-splashed marathon, sending frantic runners and fans scrambling for cover and sending at least 144 to the hospital. There were at least three dead — including an 8-year-old — and 30 wounded “critically,” officials said last night.

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Mardigras9

This is just awful.

Danno

Or for politicians to exploit it for political points?

SapperSaint

I was in Boston back in June, for the whole month. Loved the city. Loved the people. Took the Freedom Trail tour (on foot), went to Fenway (twice). Walked the same street that was bombed yesterday.

This is horrible and I hate this happened to Boston. Prayers are with all the injured and the people of Boston.