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Are these the Boston marathon bombers?
The Federal Bureau of Investigation released pictures and videos of two suspects in the Boston marathon bombings and has sought the public's help in identifying the men who are seen carrying backpacks near the finish line of the race before the blasts that killed three persons and injured over 170.
In the video footage from surveillance cameras along the route of the marathon, the two men are seen walking together on the sidewalks in the direction of the finish line.
The men, named 'Suspect 1 and Suspect 2', are wearing caps and carrying backpacks.
The FBI did not give any information about the ethnicity or nationality of the two young men.
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Are these the Boston marathon bombers?
The agency said one of the suspects set down a back pack at the site of the second explosion in front of the restaurant.
"Today, we are enlisting the public's help to identify the two suspects. After a very detailed analysis of photo, video, and other evidence, we are releasing photos of the two suspects... They appear to be associated," FBI Special Agent in Charge Richard DesLauriers told reporters in Boston.
He said the agency has relied on the public to be its "eyes and ears" and people could play a critical role in identifying and locating the suspects.
"Somebody out there knows these individuals as friends, neighbours, co-workers, or family members of the suspects. Though it may be difficult, the nation is counting on those with information to come forward," he said.
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Are these the Boston marathon bombers?
DesLauriers cautioned that in the event of the suspects being identified, the public should not approach them but inform law enforcement agents.
"We considered them to be armed and extremely dangerous. No one should approach them. No one should attempt to apprehend them except law enforcement. Do not take any action on your own," he added.
FBI released the pictures and videos after pursuing thousands of leads and tips in the four days since the twin bombings ripped through cheering crowds at one of the most popular marathons in the world.
Nearly 27,000 people were participating in the marathon as thousands lined the sidewalks to cheer friends and family.
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Are these the Boston marathon bombers?
Investigators believe pressure cooker bombs were hidden in the backpacks and the lid of the one of the pressure cookers was found on a rooftop at the site of the bombings.
"The images from Monday are indelible and the horror of that day will remain with us forever. This further underscores our obligation to investigate this crime judiciously in order to bring those responsible to justice. The victims and the survivors deserve that much," DesLauriers said.
DesLauriers said based on the investigation in the days following the blasts, they had initially zeroed in on a "single person of interest".
"Not knowing if the individual was acting alone or in concert with others, we obviously worked with extreme purpose to make that determination. The FBI then developed a second suspect," he added.
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