FBI Arrests Two Men for Setting Off Explosion Inside Harvard Medical School

Early Saturday morning, two men accessed Harvard Medical School’s Goldenson Building via the roof and set off fireworks that led to an explosion on the fourth floor, which houses neurobiology labs and offices.

“They allegedly detonated a Roman candle firework”

ABC News

Multiple outlets report the sequence as lighting a Roman candle outside and placing a cherry bomb inside a locker that exploded.

ABC News

Surveillance placed the suspects near the building around 2:33-2:45 a.m., and some reports say around 3 a.m.

Authorities stressed there were no injuries and no structural damage.

The Boston Fire Department deemed the blast intentional with no additional devices found.

The FBI arrested two Massachusetts residents, 18-year-old Logan David Patterson and 20-year-old Dominick Frank Cardoza, after surveillance footage, public tips, and witness accounts tied them to the blast.

Authorities say the men climbed fences and scaffolding to reach the roof, wore face coverings or masks, and fled after triggering a fire alarm.

Arab News

Some reports add they discarded clothing to evade identification.

Investigators say the pair filmed or bragged about the explosion, and tips from acquaintances helped lead to swift arrests.

Both suspects face federal conspiracy charges for damaging property by means of fire or explosives.

“A small section of the fourth-floor hallway where an explosion occurred has been cleared and is fully operational, with no structural damage to the building or labs, according to medical school officials”

Associated Press

Authorities repeatedly stress that this is a serious federal crime and not a harmless prank.

Penalties for the offense can reach up to five years in prison.

One outlet reports the men were released pending trial with restrictions such as no explosives and no visiting Harvard.

Officials have not disclosed a motive for the alleged crime.

Some coverage notes there is no indication of political ideology behind the act.

Other reports simply state that the motive remains undetermined.

Officials and local media said the blast caused limited damage and no injuries.

The building was cleared for normal use, and there was no ongoing threat to the university.

Associated Press

The Boston Fire Department confirmed the explosion was intentional and a sweep found no additional devices.

Police and first responders reported encountering two people fleeing after a fire alarm.

Some reports noted the building remained fully operational after the incident.

Coverage framed the event’s broader context in different ways.

“News BOSTON (AP) — Two Massachusetts men were arrested Tuesday in connection with a weekend explosion at Harvard Medical School, authorities said”

bastillepost

NBC Boston highlighted student unease and linked the incident to wider scrutiny of Harvard.

bastillepost

Other outlets focused on law-enforcement process or risk.

Global News quoted an FBI official saying the act could have caused serious injury or death if the building were occupied.

Fox News praised the arrests as a coordinated counterterrorism success.

Justthenews kept details sparse pending further information.

The Harvard Crimson reported the FBI announcement of arrests ahead of a U.S. Attorney press conference.