It’s been over two weeks since Dzhokhar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev allegedly detonated two pressure cooker bombs at the Boston Marathon; an act of terror that killed three and injured more than 200.
Since April 15, authorities have shut down and reopened the city of Boston, engaged in a shootout with the Tsarnaev brothers, captured the youngest of the two and charged him with using a weapon of mass destruction. He is now being held in a small cell in a federal medical detention center.
Other details about Dzhokar, also known as Jahar, and his brother’s religious beliefs have come to light; details that will no doubt aid in building the case against the alleged bombers. Russian authorities have also confirmed that they intercepted a 2011 conversation between Tamerlan and his mother concerning Jihad.
Just this week, DNA belonging to a woman was found on one of the two bombs used in the attacks, however, it was not immediately clear if it belonged to Tamerlan’s wife, Katherine Russell, or another individual.
Here are the latest updates in the ongoing case.
1. Video Of Dzhokhar Dancing Emerges
In this new video, we can clearly see Dzhokhar joking around as two of his friends wrestle.
2. Carjack Victim “Danny” Speaks Out In First Interview
In his first television interview, the 26-year-old Chinese entrepreneur who was carjacked by alleged Boston Marathon bomber Tamerlan Tsarnaev described the encounter to Matt Lauer on The Today Show. After Tamerlan carjacked the SUV, Danny drove as he pointed the gun at him. Dzhokhar followed them in a sedan.
“At first, I can’t manage to drive,’’ Danny said. “I was shaking. My body was shaking. Tamerlan told me, ‘Relax, man. Slow down. Don’t drive too fast.’’
He continued to describe the ordeal, what the two brothers talked about, and his daring escape when Tamerlan wasn’t looking. Danny also offered some information on Dzhokhar’s role in the shooting and the bombing.
“I think Dzhokhar is, like, a follower.”
See the rest of the interview above.
3. New Video of Boxing Tamerlan Emerges
New video released by Entertainment Tonight shows a confident Tamerlan Tsarnaev talking to the camera about an upcoming boxing match. It is the first time we have heard the suspected bomber’s voice. Click here to watch.
4. Saudi Arabia warned U.S. About Tamerlan In 2012
Back in 2012, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia sent a written warning to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security about Tamerlan Tsarnaev, according to a Saudi government official. MailOnline is reporting that the official said the warning was separate from the multiple red flags raised by Russian intelligence in 2011, and was based on human intelligence developed independently in Yemen. The Saudi government denied an entry visa to Tamerlan in December 2011, citing security concerns.
The Saudis’ warning to the U.S. government was also shared with the British government. ‘It was very specific’ and warned that ‘something was going to happen in a major U.S. city,’ the Saudi official said during an extensive interview.
The Department of Homeland Security, however, said that the agency never received the warning about Tamerlan.
5. Tamerlan’s Body Released To Wife, Katherine Russell
Katherine Russell, Tamerlan Tsarnaev’s widow, doesn’t want anything to do with her deceased husband’s body. After authorities released Tamerlan to her, she turned his body over to an uncle (or other family), who are willing to claim him.
Amato DeLuca, the Rhode Island attorney for Katherine, said in a statement that his client had just learned that the medical examiner was ready to release Tsarnaev’s body and that she wanted it released to the Tsarnaev family.
Story developing.
