Explosions at Boston Marathon Leave Three Dead, Dozens Injured

David L. Ryan/The Boston Globe via Getty Images(BOSTON) — The death toll in the Boston Marathon bombings has increased to three people, according to the Boston Police commissioner. Among the dead was an 8-year-old boy, law enforcement sources told ABC News.

“This cowardly act will not be taken within stride,” Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis told reporters Monday evening. “We will turn every rock over to find the people who are responsible for this.”

At least 145 people were injured, including several children with severe trauma, when bombs exploded almost simultaneously near the marathon finish line. Some of the injuries have been described as amputations and severe burns.

The FBI said it has taken charge of the investigation and has no suspect in custody.

Within hours of the explosions, law enforcement officials, including those with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, were questioning a potential person of interest at Brigham and Young Women’s Hospital, where many of the injured were taken, sources told ABC News.

“There’s no suspect at Brigham and Young Hospital,” Davis said. “There are people we are talking to, but no suspect.”

Two bombs exploded near the race finish line on Boylston Street before 3 p.m. The area was crowded with runners and spectators, and thousands of runners were still completing the race at the time of the first explosion.

Davis declined to say whether he thought the devices were acts of terrorism, but said, “You can reach your own conclusion based on what happened.”

According to law enforcement sources, the first bomb exploded at the Marathon Sports running store and blew out windows in four nearby buildings, injuring 15 to 20 individuals. The second blast occurred about 50 to 100 yards away, severely injuring more bystanders, Davis said.

Authorities believe they were caused by small portable devices, sources told ABC News. More than 400 National Guardsmen in attendance at the marathon helped secure a perimeter around the scene.

One witness described the scene as being like a “war zone,” while a doctor who was standing nearby said he immediately started treating people with severe leg injuries.

Police initially said a third explosion occurred at nearby John F. Kennedy Library in Boston, but later said it was related to a fire. No one was injured at the library, police said.

Police were asking for all video footage of the finish line at the time of the explosion.

An emergency room doctor at Massachusetts General Hospital told ABC News that the hospital had performed several amputations, particularly on victims whose legs were injured. Many of the victims were runners still wearing numbers on their shirts, the doctor said.

Earlier, a trauma nurse from Massachusetts General Hospital told ABC News that medical workers had set up a temporary morgue at a medical tent at the road race and were treating patients with severed limbs and children with severe burns.

In the immediate aftermath of the explosions, Boston EMS personnel could be seen shuttling the injured out of the blast area on wheelchairs. Several of the victims were bleeding from the face.

A doctor who was in the medical tent about 150 yards away from the explosion said there was “lots of blood,” and that all physicians were told to go to the scene and help the injured.

Boston police set off a third explosion before 4 p.m. and were sweeping the area, checking dozens of bags left behind by runners who evacuated the area after the explosions. Officials are also testing for chemicals to help determine what kind of device was used, according to police.

Attorney General Eric Holder was in touch with the FBI in Boston and President Obama was notified of the blasts. All of Boston’s police force was ordered to report to duty.

Security precautions were taken elsewhere beyond Boston. In Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House was closed to pedestrians and there was heightened security.

In Boston, police told people in the area of the blasts to avoid trash cans, according to witnesses.

The explosions erupted on what is usually a festive day in Boston. It is designated Patriots Day and most offices are closed for the celebration and the marathon.

Debris from the explosions could be seen scattered throughout the spectator stands and finish line area of the marathon as emergency personnel cleared the area.

Video of the explosions showed plumes of white smoke pouring into the air above the street where runners were.

More than 26,000 runners were registered to compete in this year’s marathon. The marathon clock was at shortly after four hours at the time of the explosions, which is the average time it takes runners to complete the Boston race, potentially putting the greatest number of competitors at risk.

[ PHOTOS: Explosions at the Boston Marathon Finish Line ]

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