RUNNING HEAD: BOSTON BOMBING
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Event in History:
The Boston Bombing
Research Essay Final Draft
Nicholas Mendoza
11/15/2013
5th
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A loud boom goes off; many people litter the ground while those standing watch with shock
and awe. That was an event not far behind us, it was “The Boston Bombing” that occurred in
April. This act of terror was committed by Dzhokhar Tsarnaev and his now late brother as the
supposed accomplice. This will no doubt be remembered in the history books as an act of
terrorism, but to those that witnessed it, an act heroism. Even in the face of despair, many brave
civilians rushed to help those in need during that crisis. It showed humanity’s tenacity to stand
back up even after being knocked down.
This event occurred on April 15, 2013, at 2:49 pm EDT (as cited on Wikipedia). During the
Boston Marathon, two pressure cooker bombs detonated about 13 seconds and 210 yards apart,
by the finish line on Boylston St. The explosion killed three people and injured an estimated 264
others. The FBI quickly began investigating and identified two suspects, Dzhokhar and his
brother Tamerlan Tsarnaev. Shortly after, the suspects supposedly killed a police officer,
hijacked an SUV, and took part in a firefight with the Watertown police force, in Massachusetts.
During the firefight, an MBTA officer was severely wounded but survived with heavy blood
loss. Tamerlan was also run over by his brother Dzhokhar, who was injured but escaped. A
desperate manhunt quickly ensued the next day, with thousands of police officers searching the
city of Watertown. Around 7pm (as cited on Fox News), a Watertown resident discovered
Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, hiding in a boat in his back yard. He was taken to a hospital and placed
under arrest right after.
Two things happened that day; one was an act of terror, the other a superhuman effort to help
the injured. The explosions were described as “a bang, like a big firecracker, only an order of
magnitude louder.” Many were confused, unsure of what the explosion they just heard. One man
thought it to be, “a sound like a steel plate dropped onto cement from twenty feet.” But once the
events set in, many brave people rushed to help those injured by the blast. The wounded were
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rushed to medical tents, the scene was so horrid. “Shattered glass lay on the sidewalk. And there
is so much blood, bright red and everywhere,” Said by Michael Powers the doctor present in
the tent.
Many people played a big role during this event; no doubt they will be remembered in history
as those who answered the call of duty. One such person identified as a man with a cowboy hat,
rushed to help a man named, Jeff Bauman, whose legs were blown off by the blast. He carried
him towards the tent until an unnamed woman appears with a wheelchair saying, “He's gotta go."
Though this event was not as terrifying as say, 9/11, it will still be seen as an tragic act of terror
against the general populace for years to come. It may eventually fade into oblivion as the years
go by, but it’s impact on society will always be there. How we; see one another in crowded areas
will be different, because anyone can do what those two did, security during public events will
get tighter and more paranoid as well.
This sad event will be widely remembered, but before it happened no one could have possibly
believed such a thing could happen. To all there, the marathon was a celebration and a test of
strength, though no one expected that test to be one of real crisis.
One such person was, William Evans, the chief of the Boston Police Department (topic of article
on gq.com). He had
trouble to happen that day, but not on the scale that it did, for he was prepared but not prepared
enough. He also took part in the marathon, and due to his age was a reasonable distance away
when the bombs had gone off.
The “Boston Bombing” was a tragic waste of life, all that unnecessary bloodshed fueled by
Hate. This will no doubt be remembered in the history books as an act of terrorism, but to those
that witnessed it, an act heroism. Although this even led to the death of three and the injuring of
264, it showed humanity’s tenacity to get right back up after taking a big fall. A few people
present during this event stood up when the call for action came, and they quickly went to aide
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all who needed it, with concern for themselves being the last thing on their mind. These people
will be regarded as heroes for their herculean effort and selflessness during this time, but most of
all they represent the human nature to help others without hesitation.
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References
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http://www.gq.com/news-politics/newsmakers/201307/boston-marathon-attack-july-2013
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Marathon_bombings
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http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/10/16/man-who-found-boston-marathon-bomb-suspect-inboat-sets-records-straight-about/