So WTF were they up to at MIT?

[PCIntern]

What were they doing or getting ready to do that the MIT police were called or noticed them?

Enquiring minds want to know!

[ZRT2209]

1. planting a bomb?

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

2. Staying with a friend???

[PCIntern]

3. Maybe..."hey can I crash in your crib? It's been a busy week..." Nt

[avaistheone1]

4. Was suspect #1 an MIT student?

[davidn3600]

10. We dont seem to have any info on him yet.

[cali]

5. I just heard motion detectors went off

not that that answers what they were up to.

[gateley]

7. That's now in Watertown -- this whole thing started at MIT

[korey729]

15. Motion detectors at Sports Authority in Arsenal Mall

... per Boston Police scanner

[gateley]

6. I was just saying if they hadn't done whatever had caused a "disturbance"

none of this would be happening. I really wonder what went on. It's almost as though they wanted to be caught --
Suicide by Cop pact? Bizarre.

[Recursion]

8. Three of the bridges from Boston to Cambridge cross onto or right by MIT

They may have just been passing through.

[RudynJack]

9. We don't know yet.

I don't understand why people want clear answers in the midst of a volatile situation. There are many unanswered questions - expecting answers WHILE it's happening is odd.

[PCIntern]

11. It was a rhetorical question, my friend....

I believe that it is appropriate to posit an interrogatory simply to add to the discussion. I shall await your permission to ask questions in the future, however.

[RudynJack]

22. I apologize if I came off harsh...

I didn't sense the "rhetorical" part.

I'm curious about it, too. And about 100 other things about this story - I just know that I won't get answers tonight.

[PCIntern]

23. I quite understand...

That happens around here.

[bluedigger]

12. Nothing in particular.

My complete speculation is that they were hiding in the Cambridge student population and when the photos were released by the FBI this afternoon they decided to get out of Dodge. They waited until nightfall and carjacked a vehicle to avoid public transportation but failed to make a clean getaway.

[My Pet Goat]

13. The deceased MIT security officer could have been a real hero

in the events taking place tonight....foiling an attack on the MIT campus that also caused a chain of events leading to Watertown.

[moondust]

14. I'd guess

the MIT policeman had approached or stopped the two for some reason, maybe recognizing them, and they shot him multiple times.

[AndyTiedye]

16. Robbing a 7-11 and Carjacking an SUV

[AgingAmerican]

17. Hunting for "librul" professors

I still believe they are 'patriot' types.

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

18. Maybe the kid got rejected by MIT and is holding a grudge

[kenny blankenship]

19. Pilfering the formula for flubber?

You could do a lot of damage with that shit.

[malaise]

20. Tryig to steal a car and get away

according to Pete Williams

[Bosonic]

21. wild guess #21

They were setting up pressure cooker bombs at MIT under cover of darkness for later timed/remote detonation.

Discovered by MIT cop, who was subsequently shot.

Then mass LEO deployment, and their bad-guy plan went seriously awry.

Now, where is my CNN application letter...