Massachusetts Crime Victim Compensation Antiterrorism Program for Bombing Survivors

The purpose of this award under the OVC Antiterrorism and Emergency Assistance Program is to enable the Massachusetts Victim Compensation and Assistance Division (VCAD) to support select compensation expenses of victims and caregivers of the April 15, 2013, Boston Marathon Bombing (BMB). On April 15, 2013, two pressure cooker bombs were detonated 13 seconds apart near the finish line of the Boston Marathon, killing three spectators and injuring hundreds more. On April 18, 2013, a few hours after photos of two suspects were released, the suspects allegedly shot and killed an officer of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Police Department. Subsequently, the suspects allegedly carjacked a vehicle and took the vehicle’s owner hostage. The hostage escaped when the suspects stopped at a gas station. On April 19, 2013, a Watertown, Massachusetts, police officer identified the suspects and a gunfight ensued between the suspects and police in a Watertown neighborhood. This incident resulted in one suspect’s death when he was struck by a vehicle as the other suspect fled the scene. Later that day, police apprehended the remaining suspect in a different Watertown neighborhood. Victims affected include those in the vicinity of the bombings and the residents of neighborhoods in which subsequent events unfolded. This request from the Massachusetts VCAD is only for unmet needs to BMB eligible claimants and caregivers for travel-related expenses to verified medical appointments and lost wages for eligible caregivers who missed verified paid work to care for victims. Because of the nature of the injuries received by many of the victims, there was a prolonged recovery period and many of the victims looked to family for support. NC/NCF