Gawain said:
How dumb were these guys that they didn't at least have a couple grand to run with and had to hold up a 7-11? A few fewer grenades and they could be chilling in a Motel 8 somewhere.
I read (and honestly I don't recall where I read it earlier today) but it was around the idea that they might have been part of a larger cell and that the reason they were still in Boston, and robbing a 7-11 and car jacking someone was because after the bombs went off, the others from their cell bailed on them (i.e. took off without picking them up, etc) which left them stranded in Boston without any money, etc.
Who knows to be honest, but it is curious why they've done the things they've done since the bombs went off.
Well they weren't exactly "stranded" in Boston. They live there.
Yeah, that's why it doesn't sound right. Also you'd think any large cell they were part of would have to be pretty dumb to bail on them, and risk getting ratted out if they get taken alive.
My best guess, and it is only that (OBVIOUSLY), is that they may have been loosely associated with another group, maybe some training back in Russia, but I think they did what they did mostly on their own. They were both bright, it seems. How much supervision would they need to make Google-able bombs?
I think they maybe underestimated law enforcement, quickly realized they weren't getting away at all (and maybe they ALWAYS knew that), and had a Butch and Sundance thing going on. Holdups, car-jacking, and shootouts? That takes a little different mindset that quietly walking down the street, and putting a bag down. You can be a true coward, and drop a dufflebag on the floor.
I am quite ready to believe this mayhem was part of the plan.