Charlestown Residents Respond to Lockdown

[UPDATED Friday, April 19, 10:41 a.m.]

It's been a tense morning in Boston.

Local residents woke up to news that one of the marathon bombing suspects was killed in a firefight overnight on Thursday night and that a second suspect is still on the loose. Authorities believe the second suspect is at large in the Watertown area. 

Residents around the city were dealing Friday morning with an order to stay at home with the doors locked, suspended T service and closed businesses. 

Many people took to Facebook and Twitter Friday morning to share what's going through their minds right now with the unfolding emergency in the area. 

Charlestown resident Garry Waldeck shared a photo of a deserted Downtown Crossing on Friday morning. 

"Downtown crossing at 950am on a friday #ghostown," Waldeck wrote.

Another local resident responded to the photo with, "I'm glad people are listening and remaining out of officer's way and out of danger. Crazy view!"

Charlestown resident Caitlin Walsh noted that it was "hard to focus" when asked about her thoughts during the lockdown.

Some wondered when they could leave their homes for some of life's necessities.

"Where can I go to get more coffee. Need Coffee in Charlestown! #BostonStrong" one Charlestown resident wrote on Twitter.

Less than 10 minutes later, she posted: "Excellent neighbors in Charlestown. One just knocked on my door and brought me coffee. #BostonStrong"

Charlestown resident Abby Gray said she sensed a "widespread cooperation" in Charlestown, "a sadness that we are under siege but that we will not stay down."

"As a business owner, we are first worried that our staff is home and safe—and they are, Thank God," said Gray, who owns Olivia Browning of Charlestown. "As a local resident, I think we need to listen to our very qualified personnel, all of whom deserved medals of honor after this is over. They are highly trained professionals. If they say, 'stay in,' stay in. I think most of that caution is so that they can maneuver with out concern about all civilians."

As a mother, Gray said she felt the situation was difficult to explain to her children.

"Richard and I are talking as it unfolds and making our daughter(s) feel safe, protected and calm," she said.

Gray also mentioned a hope that people would not allow anger to rule in the days following the manhunt.

"I also am hopeful that people will not profile and spew messages of hate about other cultures or nationalities. We will do everything we can to help heal our community, raise money for the victims and their families, and move forward into the light," she said.

Charlestown resident David Whelan works in the Navy Yard and was in lockdown at his office on Friday morning.

"Literally, they don’t want folks leaving the building," he said.

He reported an "eerie" feeling in the neighborhood.

"It is strangely quiet and folks seem to be very focused on what is going on with the manhunt. Can’t talk about anything else. Very little traffic is buzzing about. The Yard is like a ghost town."

He added: "It takes things like this to remind one of how many personal freedoms we do have and how strange it is when someone puts restrictions on those freedom."

One Charlestown resident shared a photo of an empty Main Street around 10:30 a.m. on Friday, writing: "Not a soul on Main Street."

What's going through your mind in Charlestown right now? Tell us in the comments.