Belmont Under Lockdown; Law Enforcement Says 'Stay Indoors', Stores Closed, Town Offices Shut

Belmont has been placed under lock down as of 5:45 a.m. by state officials and law enforcement as a massive police manhunt is underway for the second of two suspects, 19-year-old Dzhokhar Tsarnaev of Cambridge – reportedly "Suspect 2" of the team that left bombs that exploded Monday near the Boston Marathon finish line killing three – who is on the run in Watertown since 1 a.m.

State Police said the other suspect – Tamerlan Tsarnaev, Dzhokhar's 26-year-old brother – in both the bombings and the killing of an MIT police officer, Sean Collier, 26, of Somerville, and the wounding of a MBTA officer late Thursday was shot dead around 1 a.m.

“We are asking you to stay indoors, to stay in your homes for the time being,’’ the Massachusetts Emergency Management office's Kurt Schwart told about 200 members of the media at a 6 a.m. press conference held at the Watertown Mall.

“We are asking business in those areas to cooperate and not open today until we can provide further guidance," he said.

Watertown and Belmont is joined by Waltham, Allston-Brighton and Cambridge for its residents to “shelter in place." The MBTA has been shut down until further notice and all taxis have been taken off the road. At 8:30 a.m., Logan International Airport has been closed.

In Belmont, most streets are eerily quiet with both Starbucks Coffee shops closed. All town offices and the public library are closed today due to the emergency nature of the situation. Belmont Savings Bank has closed all its branches until further notice.

"We have provided assistance to Watertown in this active investigation," said Belmont Police Capt. Peter Hoerr who advised residents not to congregate in areas like bus stops since the transit system is no longer running.