Two young men have been charged with causing an explosion at a Harvard Medical School laboratory after allegedly setting off a large commercial firework early Saturday morning. Federal prosecutors announced the charges on Tuesday, detailing that the suspects, Logan David Patterson, 18, from Plymouth, Massachusetts, and Dominick Frank Cardoza, 20, from Bourne, Massachusetts, face one count of conspiracy related to the use of explosives.
The incident occurred at the Goldenson Building, which houses a research laboratory within the Department of Neurobiology. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts, the firework was detonated inside a wooden locker on the fourth floor of the facility. The explosion triggered a fire alarm, prompting a response from campus police. As an officer approached the scene, two individuals were seen fleeing the building.
Surveillance footage recorded before the incident showed the two men dressed in dark clothing and covering their faces as they moved towards the campus shortly before 2:30 a.m. The footage also captured them igniting what appeared to be Roman candle fireworks.
These events raise significant concerns regarding safety in educational institutions, as the careless use of explosives can lead to dire consequences. However, the quick response by campus police indicates a proactive approach to maintaining security on campus. The unfolding legal proceedings will be closely monitored as further details emerge from this alarming incident.