Dzhokhar Tsarnaev Downloaded Bomb Making Instructions From Al-Qaida Site, Indictment Says

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev learned how to make the bomb he left at the Boston Marathon by downloading instructions from an al-Qaida website, a federal indictment released Thursday says.

The indictment says the bombing suspect had read up on Islamic jihad materials and martyrdom online, along with looking up recipes for explosives. The charges against him in the indictment including use of a weapon of mass destruction to kill.

Police said Dzhokhar and his brother, Tamerlan Tsarnaev, left bombs near the finish line at the Boston Marathon. Four days later, they shot and killed a MIT police officer and engaged police in a rolling gun battle that left Tamerlan killed, police say. Dzhokhar was captured hours later, hiding in a boat in a backyard.

“Tamerlan Tsarnaev’s justice will be in the next world, but for his brother, accountability will begin right here in the district of Massachusetts,” Suffolk District Attorney Daniel Conley, whose jurisdiction includes Boston, said at a press conference.

As he hid inside the boat, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev revealed his motive for the attack, the indictment read. He scratched messages on the inside of the boat reading:”The U.S. Government is killing our innocent civilians,” ”I can’t stand to see such evil go unpunished,” and “We Muslims are one body, you hurt one you hurt us all.”

As the indictment was released, federal officials tried to shift a focus to the survivors of the bombing and shootout, painting them as heroes.

“I have met several of those that were injured on April 15, as well as members of the deceased’s families,” US Attorney Carmen Ortiz said.. “Their strength is extraordinary, and we will do everything we can to pursue justice, not only on their behalf but on behalf of all of us.”

The 19-year-old Dzhokhar Tsarnaev could face the death penalty in connection to the bombing that left three people dead and more than 260 injured.