Boston, Mass. — Two men face charges following a fireworks explosion at Harvard Medical School during the Halloween weekend, an event that startled the campus community. The arrests were announced by federal authorities on Tuesday.
Logan Patterson, 18, and Dominick Cardoza, 20, reportedly broke into a research facility early Saturday morning, where they allegedly set off a large commercial firework inside a storage locker. The explosion activated the fire alarm system and resulted in property damage, although no injuries were reported, according to law enforcement sources.
Investigators reviewed security footage that captured the suspects entering the Goldenson Building construction area around 2 a.m. Saturday. The video shows them scaling scaffolding before fleeing the scene following the explosion. Shortly after the incident, one of the suspects was seen at the nearby Wentworth Institute of Technology, where witnesses reported hearing them boast about the fireworks display.
Authorities are treating the incident with utmost seriousness. “Using an explosive device at a higher education institution is a grave offense, not a mere prank,” emphasized Ted Docks, head of the FBI’s Boston division.
Despite their arrest, both Patterson and Cardoza, who have no prior criminal history, were released after a court appearance. Their attorneys described them as young men who did not intend to cause harm and expressed belief that the legal system would recognize a lack of malicious intent behind their actions.
The incident prompted concerns on campus, coinciding with a night filled with various Halloween festivities at nearby colleges. FBI and Harvard police are continuing their investigation, stressing the importance of maintaining safety at educational institutions.
Community members are left reflecting on the balance between festive celebration and safety as authorities work to ensure such incidents are not repeated in the future.