Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Alleged Boston Marathon Bombers Planned To Go To NYC With Large Cache Of Weapons
By
John Del Signore
Published Apr 22, 2013
Modified Apr 22, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
John Del Signore
Published Apr 22, 2013
Modified Apr 22, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The unidentified man who was carjacked by the two brothers accused of bombing the Boston Marathon told police that they were headed to NYC. According to a "senior United States official" who spoke with the Times, Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev told the owner of the Mercedes SUV that they planned to go to NYC. It's unclear if they told the victim what they planned to do there, but the Boston Police Commissioner said yesterday the two men had such a large cache of weapons that they most likely intended to continue their rampage.
After the gun battle that left Tamerlan Tsarnaev dead early Friday morning, investigators found many unexploded homemade bombs at the scene, along with more than 250 rounds of ammunition. Police Commissioner Ed Davis told CBS the stockpile was ‘‘as dangerous as it gets in urban policing. We have reason to believe, based upon the evidence that was found at that scene — the explosions, the explosive ordnance that was unexploded and the firepower that they had — that they were going to attack other individuals."
The SUV owner who was briefly held hostage by the two brothers told police that they identified themselves as the Boston Marathon bombers. So why let him live to tell his tale? According to the victim's statement to police, the brothers said they "would not kill him because he wasn't American." He fled the vehicle at a Shell Gas Station in Watertown, and told a worker in another gas station to call 911. Within the hour, Tamerlan would be gravely injured after his younger brother Dzhokhar ran him over while escaping a chaotic shootout with police.
It remains to be seen where the brothers allegedly acquired the weapons and how they received the training to assemble and detonate the bombs. Some investigators tell the Times that they believe the brothers downloaded a manual from an online Al Qaeda affiliate website. Boston Mayor Thomas Menino says that it appears the brothers "acted alone" and that Tamerlan had "brainwashed” his younger brother to follow him and “read those magazines that were published on how to create bombs, how to disrupt the general public, and things like that.”
Tagged
boston bomb
boston marathon
boston marathon bombing
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Oct 18, 2026 at 10:34 a.m. ET
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
Repeat offenders are a big talking point in the governor's race.
By
Gino Fanelli
News
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
Repeat offenders are a big talking point in the governor's race.
By
Gino Fanelli
NYPD searching for 'person of interest' in fatal Midtown subway platform shooting
By
Ryan Kost
and
Elizabeth Kim
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
By
Ryan Kost
Being reigning champions is weird for Knicks fans, but we could get used to this.
By
Catalina Gonella
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .