Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Boston Field Office Richard DesLauriers speaks as he releases images of suspects in the two explosions during the Boston Marathon at a news conference in Boston, Massachusetts, April 18, 2013. The FBI said on Thursday that it has identified two suspects in the Boston Marathon bombing and is asking the public for help in identifying the two men.LUCAS JACKSON/Reuters
In a media conference Thursday, FBI Special Agent Richard DesLauriers gave an update on the investigation of Monday's attack on the Boston Marathon and released photographs of two suspects. This is a transcription of his statement:
Since Monday's bombings, the FBI and our law enforcement partners have been working around the clock and are fully committed to investigating this matter to bring those responsible to justice. Our collective law enforcement team has been pursuing thousands of leads and tips. As I said two days ago, we are working methodically with a sense of urgency to identify those responsible for the bombing. Within the last day or so, through that careful process, we initially developed a single person of interest. Not knowing if the individual was working alone or in concert with others, we obviously worked with extreme purpose to make that determination. The entire force of federatl government, the FBI in Boston, around the world as well as our partners in Boston Police , JTTF, Massachusetts state police, and more than 30 agencies in Boston joint terrorism task force to ensure that all those responsible for the bombings are brought to justice.
More importantly, it was done to ensure the future safety of the people of the city of Boston, the commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the country. Indeed, through that process the FBI developed a second suspect.
Today we are enlisting the public's help to identify the two suspects. After a very detailed analysis of photo, video, and other evidence, we are releasing photos of those two suspects. They are identified as suspect one and suspect two. They appear to be associated. Suspect 1 is wearing a dark hat, suspect 2 is wearing a white hat. Suspect 2 has set down a backpack at the site of the second explosion, just in front of the [Fuller] restaurant. We strongly encourage those who were at the [] restaurant who have not contacted us yet to do so. As you can see from one of the images, suspects one and 2 appear to be walking together through the marathon crowd on Boylston street in the direction of the finish line. That image was captured as they walked on Boylston in the vicinity of the intersection of Gloucester street. As you can see, the quality of the photos is quite good, and we will continue to work on developing additional images to improve their identification value. Further, on fbi.gov, we have photos of the suspects. The photos and videos are posted for the public and the media to use and review and publicize. For clarity, these images should be the only ones, I emphasize the only ones the public should be viewing to assist us. Other photos should not be deemed credible as they are unnecessarily diverting the public's attention in the wrong direction and create undue work for vital law enforcement resources.
For more than 100 years, the FBI has relied upon the public to be its eyes and ears. With the media's help, in an instant, these images will be delivered directly into the hands of millions around the world. We know the public will play a critical role in identifying and locating these individuals. Somebody out there knows these individuals as friends, neighbours, co-workers, or family members of the suspects. We know it may be difficult, but the nation is counting on those with information to come forward and provide it to us.
No bit of information, no matter how seemingly small or inconsequential, is too small for us to see. Each piece moves us forward towards justice. It is extremely important to contact us with any information regarding the identities of suspect one, suspect two, and their location. We consider them to be armed and extremely dangerous. No one should approach them. No one should attempt to apprehend them except law enforcement. Let me re-iterate that caution: do not take any action on your own. If you see these men, contact law enforcement. If you know anything about the bombings or about the men pictured here, please call the telephone listed on the photo [arrays?], that's 1-800-CALL-FBI, again that's 1-800-225-5324. All calls will be kept confidential. We have also established a website for tips that directly relates to the bombing. Please contact us at bostonmarathontips.fbi.gov, again that website is bostonmarathontips.fbi.gov. Photos can be viewed on our website, fbi.gov. It is important to emphasize that the images from Monday are indelible and the horror that day will remain with us forever. This further underscores our obligation to investigate this crime judiciously in order to bring those responsible to justice. The victims and the survivors deserve nothing more. Nothing less, excuse me. As for Monday's victims, the FBI is committed to ensuring the victims receive the rights they are entitled to, the assistance they need to cope with the crime, treating victims with respect and providing them with assistance, benefits, and help and assistance.
Our resources include an office for victim assistance at FBI headquarters and victim specialists nationwide. These highly trained professionals can assist victims and co-ordinate with other agencies to provide victims with the support, information and resources they need to effectively meet their needs. Our victim specialist team continues to work around the clock to bring assistance to victims of this heinous act.
Identifying and locating those responsible is now our highest priority. No other details of the investigation will be released at this time, because this is our focus now. It continues to be an ongoing, active investigation. Review these photographs and contact us at 1-800-CALL-FBI or www.bostonmarathontips.fbi.gov immediately. Thank you very much.
Transcription by Jessica Chin.