One suspect dead and the other on the run over Boston Marathon bombs

A suspect identified as being responsible for the Boston Marathon bombs has been shot dead by police, while another remains at large.

The manhunt began after the fatal shooting of a police officer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) on Thursday 22:30 EDT (Friday, 02:30 BST).

A dramatic, high-speed chase ensued at 04:00 EDT (07:00 BST) after the suspects stole a car at gunpoint.

Witnesses soon reported a series of explosions, followed by ten minutes of gunfire shortly after they entered Watertown, Greater Boston. As daylight broke it was confirmed that one of the suspects had been killed by police during the chase.

As the search for the second suspect continues, a number of strict measures have been taken with public safety the focus of law enforcement.

Residents of Watertown have been urged to stay indoors while road traffic activity has been halted and a number of buildings, including MIT, have been closed.

“We need your help now,” the Watertown Police Chief, Edward Deveau emphasised in a press conference. The authorities are moving door to door, up and down Boston’s streets clearing houses in the ongoing hunt for the suspect.

Although the identities of the bombers remain unknown, descriptions and photographs have been released in a bid to find the second Boston Marathon suspect.

Keumars Afifi-Sabet