Two young men have been arrested in connection with an explosion at Harvard Medical School after allegedly setting off a cherry bomb inside a locker on campus, officials confirmed Tuesday.
Logan David Patterson, 18, of Plymouth, and Dominick Frank Cardoza, 20, of Bourne, were taken into custody and arraigned in federal court following the incident, which occurred Saturday evening inside the university’s Goldenson Building.
According to court documents, the pair face conspiracy charges to damage property by means of fire or explosives. Both suspects are from Massachusetts and were reportedly visiting the Boston area for Halloween celebrations.
Caught on Camera: How the Incident Unfolded
Authorities say the suspects were captured on surveillance footage entering the Harvard Medical School campus and proceeding to the fourth floor of the Goldenson Building, where the explosion later occurred.
Investigators allege the two lit a Roman candle outside the locker room and placed a cherry bomb inside one of the lockers, which detonated shortly after, triggering alarms across the building.
“Let me be clear: Setting off an explosive device inside a locker at an institution geared toward higher education is not some harmless college prank. It’s selfish, it’s short-sighted, and it’s a federal crime,” said Ted Docks, the FBI’s Special Agent in Charge.
No injuries were reported, but the explosion caused significant alarm among students and staff, prompting an immediate campus evacuation and federal investigation.
FBI and U.S. Attorney Detail Investigation
Investigators said Patterson and Cardoza became persons of interest after being spotted running from the scene as alarms sounded. Their movements were later confirmed through surveillance footage obtained from multiple campus cameras.
According to the charging documents, the suspects selected the Goldenson Building because it “looked abandoned.” They allegedly entered through the roof and placed the explosive inside the locker before fleeing.
“Anxiety levels naturally rise when the public learns that an explosion was intentionally caused. I would say those levels may rise even higher in the Boston area,”
said U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley during a press conference on Tuesday.
Foley emphasized that the public is not in further danger, noting that the quick response by federal and local authorities ensured the situation was contained.
Motive Still Unclear
Neither the FBI nor the U.S. Attorney’s Office has speculated on a motive behind the act. Officials said the suspects did not appear to have any connection to Harvard Medical School or its staff.
“There was no further danger to the university,” Foley stated, confirming that all safety protocols were followed after the explosion.
Both Patterson and Cardoza remain in federal custody pending further hearings. If convicted, they could face significant prison time under federal explosives and conspiracy statutes.
Campus Safety Concerns and Broader Context
The explosion has reignited discussions about campus security and unauthorized access to academic facilities in the Boston area. Law enforcement officials are now reviewing building access procedures and surveillance coverage to prevent similar incidents.
Harvard University has not yet issued a formal public statement but has confirmed it is cooperating with federal investigators.
