Two men from Massachusetts have been arrested in connection with the weekend explosion at a Harvard Medical School building, AP reported, citing authorities. The incident took place early Saturday on the fourth floor of the university’s Goldenson Building, which has labs and offices linked to the neurobiology department. Fortunately, no one was injured.
Who are Logan David Patterson and Dominick Frank Cardoza?
Logan David Patterson, 18, of Plymouth, and Dominick Frank Cardoza, 20, of Bourne, were arrested on Tuesday morning. Both have been charged with one count of conspiracy to damage property by means of an explosive, according to the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts.
According to the authorities, neither Patterson nor Cardoza attended Harvard. Both suspects were visiting Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston for Halloween parties that weekend.
On the day of the explosion, surveillance footage showed them walking toward Harvard Medical School. Witnesses told investigators the duo chose the Goldenson Building because it appeared abandoned, and they got access through the roof. US Attorney Leah Belaire Foley described their act as “extremely dangerous,” and FBI Boston Special Agent Ted Docks slammed it as “a federal crime.”
According to court filings, they placed a roman candle outside the building, then placed a cherry bomb inside a locker, which later exploded.
Both men were expected to appear in federal court on Tuesday. If convicted, they each face up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.
Foley confirmed that the FBI is still investigating the case, but added there is no evidence of any continuing threat to Harvard or the public. “These two men allegedly boasted about what they did to their friends,” Docks said, adding that tips from the public helped identify them.
‘Not a harmless prank,’ says the FBI
During the preliminary investigation, authorities had ruled out the explosion as an intentional act. The blast occurred around 2:48 am on November 1. The FBI soon joined the case.
“This was not some harmless college prank,” said Ted Docks, the FBI’s special agent in charge. “Setting off an explosive device inside a locker at an institution of higher learning is selfish, short-sighted, and a federal crime.”
Harvard officials later assured that all research labs and equipment are intact, and the campus is operating normally.
“Anxiety levels naturally rise when the public learns an explosion was intentionally caused,” Foley said during a press conference, according to AP. “And I would say those levels may rise even higher in the Boston area. But there is no ongoing threat to the university.”
Harvard Medical School officials confirmed that the explosion did not cause any structural damage. All laboratories and research equipment are safe.
