BOSTON (Diya TV) — Federal authorities have arrested two Massachusetts men in connection with an explosion that shook Harvard Medical School early Saturday morning, the FBI’s Boston field office said Tuesday. The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force and the Harvard University Police Department led the arrests after investigators determined the blast was intentional. Officials said the explosion occurred at the Goldenson Building, part of the Harvard Medical School campus in Boston’s Longwood Medical Area.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts is expected to hold a news conference Tuesday afternoon at the federal courthouse in Boston to provide more details about the arrests and charges. The incident happened just before 3 a.m. Eastern time on Saturday, when an officer responded to the Goldenson Building following a fire alarm activation. According to Harvard police, the officer saw two people running from the scene as alarms blared and smoke filled part of the medical research facility.
Authorities quickly cordoned off the area, and bomb technicians worked to ensure there were no additional explosive devices nearby. No injuries were reported, but the explosion caused minor damage to part of the building. Surveillance footage released by Harvard police showed two masked individuals entering the area before the blast. One suspect appeared to be wearing a gray ski mask, while the other wore a long black face covering and a dark hoodie. Investigators said the images were crucial in helping identify the suspects.
Federal and local law enforcement agencies worked together throughout the weekend to track down the suspects. The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force joined the investigation shortly after the explosion because of its intentional nature. Agents collected evidence at the scene, including debris, chemical residue, and surveillance recordings from nearby buildings. The investigation also involved reviewing transportation and phone records to trace the suspects’ movements in the hours before and after the blast.
Officials have not yet released the names of the two men arrested. The charges are expected to include possession and use of explosive materials, property destruction, and conspiracy. More information will be made public after the U.S. Attorney’s Office briefing. Harvard University issued a statement thanking law enforcement agencies for their swift response. “The safety of our students, staff, and faculty remains our top priority,” the statement said. “We are cooperating fully with the FBI and other authorities as the investigation continues.”
The university said classes and research activities at Harvard Medical School have resumed, though some lab spaces in the Goldenson Building remain closed for safety inspections. The explosion comes during a tense period for Harvard University. The institution has spent much of the past year navigating national controversy over higher education policies and its relationship with the federal government.
Officials from Harvard and the White House have reportedly been in discussions for months about restoring federal funding that had been suspended amid legal disputes. The talks aim to resolve ongoing lawsuits and rebuild trust between the university and the administration. Saturday’s explosion added new pressure on Harvard’s leadership, prompting renewed discussions about campus security and emergency preparedness.
Authorities have not disclosed a motive for the explosion or whether it was linked to recent campus tensions. The FBI said there is no ongoing threat to the community, but extra security measures remain in place across the Harvard Medical School campus. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu called the arrests “an important step toward restoring calm and ensuring safety in our city’s academic community.” She also praised the quick cooperation between federal agents, Harvard police, and the Boston Fire Department.
As investigators prepare to present their findings, federal prosecutors said they will pursue the case aggressively. “Acts of violence on our campuses have no place in our society,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a brief statement. The FBI is urging anyone with additional information about the suspects or the explosion to contact its Boston office.
