DEVIL'S DEMISE: Osama Bin Laden Killed by U.S. Troops

North Andover watched Sunday night as President Barack Obama announced it: Osama bin Laden was dead.

"Tonight, I can report to the American people and to the world that the United States has conducted an operation that killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of al Qaeda, and a terrorist who’s responsible for the murder of thousands of innocent men, women, and children," Obama said.

Bin Laden formed al Qaeda more than 20 years ago amd has sought the death of American troops and civilians ever since -- a goal that became globally infamous when 19 of him men hijacked planes on Sept. 11, 2001, and flew them into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, killing about 3,000 people.

Since that tragic day, bin Laden has evaded capture by living in caves and, apparently, a mansion in Pakistan.

Months in the Making

Obama said that the white house first received a possibly lead on bin Laden last August. After months of investigation and analysis by intelligence officials and the president's national security team, they determined that bin Laden was hiding in a compound in the Pakistani city of Abbottabad.

Obama said he gave the order to strike Sunday, and U.S. troops descended on the compound determined to capture or kill the world's top Jihadist. Gunfire ended with Osama bin Laden dead and no Americans harmed.

"For over two decades, bin Laden has been al Qaeda’s leader and symbol, and has continued to plot attacks against our country and our friends and allies," Obama continued. "The death of bin Laden marks the most significant achievement to date in our nation’s effort to defeat al Qaeda."

Scores of people paraded in front of the white house fence after midnight in Washington, D.C., cheering and waving flags.

Check back with Patch for local reaction to the death of Osama bin Laden.