Harvard Medical School Explosion: Federal Authorities Uncover Suspects and Details on Social Media Trail
In a recent development, federal authorities have unmasked the suspects behind the explosion at Harvard Medical School, shedding light on the incident through a social media trail. The suspects, Logan David Patterson, 18, and Dominick Frank Cardoza, 20, were allegedly involved in a plot to cause damage using a large commercial firework inside a Harvard Medical School laboratory.
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts has charged both individuals with conspiracy to damage a building on the Harvard Medical School campus. The Goldenson Building, a neuroscience research facility, was the target of their destructive actions. Patterson and Cardoza were arrested on Tuesday morning and appeared in federal court later that day. They are scheduled to have a preliminary hearing on November 24th.
Surveillance footage and social media posts played a crucial role in identifying the suspects. On October 31st, Patterson and Cardoza were seen together at the Wentworth Institute of Technology for Halloween activities. Around 2:33 a.m. on November 1st, they were captured on surveillance cameras wearing face coverings and dark clothing as they approached the Harvard Medical School campus. Moments later, they ignited what appeared to be Roman candle-style fireworks, continuing towards the campus.
The FBI affidavit reveals that the suspects climbed over a chain-link fence and scaled scaffolding to access the roof of the Goldenson Building. At 2:45 a.m., a fire alarm sounded due to an explosion inside a fourth-floor research lab in the Department of Neurobiology. Investigators determined that a large commercial firework had detonated inside a wooden locker.
Ted Docks, the special agent in charge of the FBI in Boston, emphasized the potential severity of the suspects' actions. He stated that the explosive device could have caused significant injuries to anyone nearby, but due to the quick response of first responders, no lives were lost, no one was injured, and property damage was limited.
Between 2:45 and 2:50 a.m., Patterson and Cardoza were seen visiting the fifth floor before exiting the building and fleeing in opposite directions. Surveillance video captured Cardoza sitting on a bench, removing his pants, and throwing them in a garbage bin. Patterson was later spotted back on the Wentworth campus, running between buildings and charging his phone.
At approximately 3:40 a.m., Patterson met up with Cardoza and a third individual, and they were seen walking towards the Massachusetts College of Art and Design campus. Patterson had removed his sweatshirt and sweatpants, while Cardoza still wore a dark hooded jacket and black sneakers. Witnesses identified the two men as Patterson and Cardoza, confirming their presence at Wentworth for Halloween events.
The FBI affidavit also highlights the suspects' public Instagram accounts, which linked the pair prior to the incident. Open-source research indicates that Patterson and Cardoza maintain identical Instagram profiles, featuring a profile photograph of themselves with three other young males.
The social media accounts, reviewed by Fox News Digital, display a small number of public posts showcasing high school graduation scenes, sports activities, and time spent with friends. The FBI and Harvard University Police Department announced the arrests on Tuesday, bringing an end to the investigation and ensuring the safety of the campus.
The charges against Patterson and Cardoza include conspiracy to damage property owned or used by an institution receiving federal funding, using explosives. The authorities' thorough investigation and use of social media trails have successfully unmasked the suspects, providing crucial details about the incident and ensuring a swift resolution.
