Marathon bombing suspect charged with using weapon of mass destruction

The surviving suspect in the Boston Marathon bombings has been charged with using a weapon of mass destruction, the U.S. Department of Justice said Monday.

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev appeared before a judge while in hospital.

Tsarnaev, 19, has been charged with using a weapon of mass destruction “against persons and property at the Boston Marathon on April 15, resulting in the death of three people and injuries to more than 200 people.”

He’s also charged with one count of malicious destruction of property by means of an explosive device resulting in death.

If convicted, he could face the death penalty. He could also be sentenced to life in prison.

“Although our investigation is ongoing, today’s charges bring a successful end to a tragic week for the city of Boston, and for our country,” Attorney General Eric Holder said in a statement.

“Our thoughts and prayers remain with each of the bombing victims and brave law enforcement professionals who lost their lives or suffered serious injuries as a result of this week’s senseless violence.”

Tsarnaev’s older brother,  Tamerlan Tsarnaev, 26, was killed by police in a gunfight early Friday.

Dzhokhar’s capture later that day ended a sweeping manhunt that saw most of Boston and nearby Watertown locked down.

The two suspects allegedly killed a Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) police officer late Thursday. Sean Collier, 26, was found shot dead in his vehicle at the university. Another police officer was injured in the pursuit.

Lingzi Lu, a graduate student in mathematics, eight-year-old Martin Richard and Krystle Campbell, 29, all died in the blasts.

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