Attorneys for the sisters of the suspected Boston Marathon bombers released a statement Tuesday saying their clients are “absolutely devastated” and were awaiting a thorough investigation.
“Our heart goes out the victims of last week’s bombing. It saddens us to see so many innocent people hurt after such a callous act. As a family, we are absolutely devastated by the sense of loss and sorrow this has caused. We don’t have any answers but we look forward to a thorough investigation and hope to learn more,” said the statement, issued on behalf of Ailina and Bella Tsarnaev, who have lived in Fairview and West New York.
“We ask the media to respect our privacy during this difficult time,” said the statement from attorneys Joseph Ginarte and William Buckman.
Reporters have swarmed a West New York home where the sisters are staying since brothers Dzhokhar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev were accused in the terror attacks last week. Federal agents visited the home last week and local police have maintained a constant guard outside.
FBI agents last week also visited the apartment in Fairview where Ailina and Bella Tsarnaev lived months ago, Police Chief Frank DelVecchio told Patch.
Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, 19, of Cambridge, Mass., was charged Monday with using a weapon of mass destruction against persons and property in connection with the marathon bombings, the Justice Department said. He is recovering in a Boston hospital after a standoff with police.
Tamerlan Tsarnaev, 26, was pronounced dead after an exchange of gunfire with police in Watertown, Mass. The brothers are also suspected in connection with the slaying of an MIT police officer in nearby Cambridge.