Hunt is on for suspect, motives in Boston Marathon bombing

A ""worldwide investigation" is being waged by the FBI and state and local police in regards to the horrific bombings at the Boston Marathon this past Monday. The FBI reports that no individual or group has claimed responsibility for the attack as of yet, but diligence by federal law enforcement is in full swing. Agents are appealing to the public for tips and cell phone pictures taken at the scene for clues behind the attack.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - "At this time there are no claims of responsibility," FBI officials said in a press conference. "The range of suspects and motives remains wide open."

Three died and at least 176 were injured when two bombs went off just before 3 p.m. Monday afternoon at Boston's 238th annual Patriots' Day.

After an investigation, it was determined that the bombs were made of explosives put in ordinary 1.6-gallon pressure cookers, one with shards of metal and ball bearings, the other with nails. The bombs were stuffed into black duffel bags and then left on the ground, according to an unidentified source.

Investigators had found pieces of black nylon from a bag or backpack and fragments of BB's and nails, possibly contained in a pressure cooker. Richard DesLauriers, FBI agent says that the items were sent to the FBI laboratory at Quantico, Virginia for analysis.

Authorities also recovered a piece of circuit board that they believe was part of one of the explosive devices, along with a lid of a pressure cooker that apparently was catapulted onto the roof of a nearby building.

Authorities have recovered what they believe are some of the pieces of the explosive devices. One official spoke on the condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to publicly discuss evidence in the ongoing investigation.

"Someone knows who did this," DesLauriers said. "Importantly, the person who did this is someone's friend, neighbor, co-worker or relative."

Investigators are also examining if the bombs could have been assembled near the scene of the explosions. This is a definite possibility as transporting improvised devices over a significant distance could trigger a premature detonation, as one official pointed out.

Federal agents are working with local police to canvas local hotels and short-term rentals searching for clues as to where the bombs could have been constructed.

As fort hose who suffered injuries in the attack, Dr. Peter Burke, chief of trauma services at Boston Medical Center says that 19 patients -- six males and 13 females are being treated at the facility. Seven people had amputations and two remain in critical condition, including a five-year-old boy.

Doctors have also been treating lung injuries, likely caused from the force of the explosion or impact on the ground. "The major (injuries) ones that were life-treating were tissue injuries and vascular injuries," he said.

Burke says that there will be eight "reoperations" at the hospital. And that one or two patients may be released later today. Burke praised the Boston EMS and first responders for limiting the loss of life.

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