Charges brought after explosion incident at Harvard Medical School lab

Harvard Medical School Explosion Arrests

Federal authorities are investigating two college students from Massachusetts for allegedly planning and executing a significant pyrotechnic explosion in a lab at Harvard Medical School.

Logan David Patterson, 18, from Plymouth, and Dominic Frank Cardoza, 20, from Bourne, have been arrested and charged with conspiracy to utilize large commercial fireworks to damage property on the Harvard Medical School campus.

According to the Massachusetts District Attorney’s Office, both individuals are facing a single charge of conspiracy aimed at causing damage specifically to the Goldenson Building, which accommodates the university’s neuroscience lab.

The arrests took place early Tuesday morning, with the duo appearing in a federal court later that afternoon. A preliminary hearing is set for November 24.

As outlined in a federal complaint, Patterson and Cardoza were reportedly at the Wentworth Institute of Technology shortly before Halloween, spotted together from October 31 to the early hours of November 1.

Surveillance footage captured them around 2:33 a.m., both wearing masks, as they approached the HMS campus. They were then seen lighting “Roman candle-style fireworks” just moments prior to their arrival on campus.

About ten minutes later, the video recorded them climbing over a chain-link fence into a construction area near the Goldenson Building, followed by their ascent on scaffolding to the roof.

At 2:45 a.m., an explosion was reported from a fourth-floor lab in the HMS Department of Neurobiology, triggering the fire alarm. Investigators later identified the source as a “large commercial firework” that exploded inside a wooden locker.

Ted Docks, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Boston office, noted that the actions of the suspects could have resulted in severe injuries. However, “thanks to quick action from first responders,” no one was hurt, he stated, highlighting the fortunate lack of casualties and limited property damage.

Surveillance footage allegedly shows Patterson and Cardoza at the fifth floor shortly after the explosion, before they exited the building and fled in different directions.

Prosecutors indicated that Cardoza was later observed sitting on a bench, removing his pants and discarding them in a trash bin. Authorities report that Patterson returned to the nearby Wentworth campus at approximately 3:09 a.m., seen charging his phone while seemingly running from one building to another.

By around 3:40 a.m., Patterson and Cardoza were spotted together with a third individual, walking toward the Massachusetts College of Art and Design campus. Notably, Patterson had discarded his sweatshirt and sweatpants while Cardoza remained in his black hooded jacket and sneakers.

Witnesses later confirmed their identities, stating they were in the area for a Halloween event.

The FBI affidavit mentions the suspects’ public Instagram accounts, linking the two prior to the incident. It points out that both accounts feature a similar profile picture taken during a past gathering with friends.