Ongoing police operation in Watertown, MA
The massive
police operation in Watertown, Massachusetts, that includes local and state police, the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security and the National Guard, continues at this hour.
Events began late on Thursday night after a Massachusetts Institute of Technology police officer was shot and killed and a stand-off between police and two men ensued. There was an extensive exchange of gunfire and at least two explosions. It is being reported that one suspect was shot and is in custody.
While the Boston Globe is reporting that the man in custody is one of the Boston Marathon bombing suspects, that has not been confirmed, with officials only saying that the FBI is "trying to make that determination."
Updates will be added as information becomes available.
12:22 AM PT:NBC's Pete Williams suggests that this operation is related to the Boston Marathon bombing, citing three things: That the FBI was interested in the names of some people who live in the Watertown area, that two unnamed people were arrested by the FBI early Friday late Thursday and that "seems to be more than mere coincidence," and that among the explosives found tonight, there was a pressure cooker (which was the device used in Monday's attack).
12:32 AM PT: NBC now reporting:
We just spoke with a law enforcement source who tells us there is a stronger possibility that the events of this evening are linked to the marathon bombings that took place. He says that there are, quote, "visual and physical evidence suggesting it is linked and it looks more likely." These are quotes. But, but, it is not yet definitive.
12:45 AM PT: A long and frightening night for Watertown residents:
Off scanner, police tell residents to shelter in place. House-by-house sweep to occur when it is light out
— @ZekeJMiller via TweetDeck
1:03 AM PT: Continue holding on to that grain of salt, but NBC is becoming much more definitive in saying this ongoing operation is related to the Boston Marathon bombings:
Officials believe there is a strong possibility that they have now zeroed in on the suspects related to the Boston Marathon bombings.
1:08 AM PT:
1:28 AM PT: New thread.