Authorities Reportedly Looking For Dark-Skinned or Black Male With Black Backpack and Black Sweatshirt — ‘Possibly Foreign National’

Authorities Reportedly Looking For Dark Skinned or Black Male With Black Backpack and Black Sweatshirt
Authorities Reportedly Looking For Dark Skinned or Black Male With Black Backpack and Black Sweatshirt

Medical workers aid injured people at the 2013 Boston Marathon following an explosion in Boston, Monday, April 15, 2013. Two explosions shattered the euphoria of the Boston Marathon finish line on Monday, sending authorities out on the course to carry off the injured while the stragglers were rerouted away from the smoking site of the blasts. Credit: AP

Authorities say they are searching for a darker skinned or black male with a black backpack and black sweatshirt, possibly foreign national from the accent of the potential suspect, WABC-TV reports.

"Five minutes before the first explosion, officials said this person attempted to gain entry to a restricted area. When turned away, he broke eye contact and pulled his sweatshirt hood over his head and left, officials said," according to the station. CNN has also reported on the development live on the air.

(Related: Reports: Saudi National Identified as Possible Suspect in Boston Marathon Explosions)

Law enforcement officials are also searching for a yellow Penske box truck that reportedly attempted to gain entry with "medical supplies" about 1 hour before the explosions.

More from WABC's report:

The Federal Aviation Administration has created a no-fly zone over the area, while security at key sites in Washington DC and New York has been tightened.

The devices, based on examination of post-strike video, appear to have been small and may have been concealed in small bags or boxes, officials said. The size of the device can be judged by the lack of structural damage to the windows and buildings adjacent to the blast sites, they explained. The smoke seen after detonation was consistent with the results of a low-velocity improvised explosive mixture, perhaps something like flash powder or a sugar chlorate mixture. Based on the relatively small number of casualties and the types of wounds caused, it is likely that the attackers packed the devices with nails or other improvised shrapnel.

This story is developing and will be updated.

Featured image via AP