Nation rejoices on Twitter after manhunt for bombing suspect ends
As news spread that police had captured 19-year-old Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the second of two suspects in the Boston Marathon bombings, a nation on edge took to social media to express joy and relief that the day-long manhunt had ended.
The search for Tsarnaev began less than a day earlier, when an MIT police officer was fatally shot on campus. That kicked off a car chase and subsequent firefight early Friday morning that claimed the life of Tsarnaev’s 26-year-old brother, Tamerlan.
The brothers are suspected of carrying pressure-cooker bombs to the finish line of the marathon, where the devices exploded, killing three people and injuring more than 170.
Friday evening, police lifted a shelter-at-home order that had frozen life in Boston and its suburbs to a standstill. A short time later, amid sounds of gunfire, the order was reinstated for the Watertown area.
Police and rescue vehicles sped to the scene, and, later, explosions were heard. Late in the evening, police leaving the scene said the suspect was in custody.
At the moment of the arrest, visceral relief broke out across Twitter:
CAPTURED!!! The hunt is over. The search is done. The terror is over. And justice has won. Suspect in custody. — Boston Police Dept. (@Boston_Police) April 20, 2013
“We got him” #oneboston twitter.com/mayortommenino… — Mayor Tom Menino (@mayortommenino) April 20, 2013
Finally! After a horrifying day in Boston it’s over! It’s finally over! #PrayersForBoston #watertown — Zach Koppel (@xZACHley) April 20, 2013
The POLICE right now are erupting in applause right now in WATERTOWN. — Brandon Michael Lisi (@BrandonLisi) April 20, 2013
At the bar- anderson cooper comes over the loudspeaker. Crowd erupts in cheers — KateNocera (@KateNocera) April 20, 2013
Spontaneous cheering “USA, USA” at the [New York Mets] ballpark as news spreads the suspect is in custody. — Andrea Smith (@AndreaSmith) April 20, 2013
This has been the longest 5 days in the city of Boston and it finally comes to an end! #BostonStrong — Ivonne Zapata (@ivonnezapata_) April 20, 2013
We have our city back.#bostonstrong — Josh Wolf (@joshwolfcomedy) April 20, 2013
Local businesses and teams thanked authorities and residents:
Thank you @boston_police @bostonfire and @boston_ems for all that you’ve done and all you continue to do. #BostonStrong — JFK Library (@JFKLibrary) April 20, 2013
We just announced that the suspect was captured #StandingOvation as Sweet Caroline plays with chants of USA #BostonStrong — Adirondack Phantoms (@PhantomsHockey) April 20, 2013
A big THANKS to media for helping share important info & to public for being patient, vigilant & reporting tips #BostonStrong #HeroesInBlue — Cambridge Police (@CambridgePolice) April 20, 2013
Thanks to @massstatepolice @massema @boston_police @fbiboston for being real champions today! #BostonStrong — Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 20, 2013
On behalf of our organization, thank you to all law enforcement for keeping the people of Boston safe!!!#bostonstrong #realheros — BostonBreakers (@BostonBreakers) April 20, 2013
Celebrities and members of the public Tweeted praise for local authorities:
#BOSTONSTRONG Thank God for the service men and women who operated that served this week!! — Rick Fox (@Rickafox) April 20, 2013
Thank you to our men and women in law enforcement who tirelessly have been serving and protecting us. #bostonstrong — Joe Andruzzi (@Andruzzi63) April 20, 2013
IMO save of the week goes to Boston PD. well done guys! #BOSTONSTRONG #praying4boston — Nick Rimando (@NickRimando) April 20, 2013
Congrats, #Boston. Sleep safe tonight. — RainnWilson (@rainnwilson) April 20, 2013
Every single police force that helped these past few days deserves a big ceremony with medals and ice cream. #BOSTONSTRONG — Rachel Symes (@rachiesymes) April 20, 2013
Great job by the FBI, Boston Police and all others involved-start the trial tonight! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 20, 2013
ALSO:
‘We got him,’ Boston mayor says of bombing suspect
Boston suspects: ‘Very normal,’ yet struggling to fit in
Bombing suspects are brothers: Dzhokhar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev
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