Kevin “Keyvon” Edson was arrested in Copley Square after he was seen running around the finish line area yelling “Boston Strong” wearing black clothes, barefoot, and carrying a backpack.
He allegedly placed the backpack near the finish line, which he later told police contained a rice cooker. Police bomb squads detonated the backpack later on. A second backpack found at the scene was later said to belong an an NECN news crew, which was unable to pick it up after the chaos started.
Edson was charged with disturbing the peace, disorderly conduct, and disturbing a public assembly, all misdemeanors carrying minimal jail time or a fine, as well as possession or use of a hoax device and making a false bomb threat, which carry up to five and up to 20 years in state prison, respectively, according to Suffolk District Attorney Daniel Conley.
Boston.com has speculated that Edson was conducting “performance art.” Deadspin sums him up nicely.
And now a brief rant by me…
I’m all for art. This wasn’t art. I almost died one year ago, and I can’t imagine how the people who lost limbs or loved ones must have felt when the lights and sirens started and we were all brought back to last year. In my humble opinion, give him the full 20. We did not need this crap yesterday.
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