Outpouring of Support for Family of Boy Killed by Explosion
Published at
The Richards Family(BOSTON) — The family of the 8-year-old boy killed in the Boston marathon bombings is struggling to cope with the boy’s death as well as “serious” injuries to the boy’s sister and mother.
Martin Richard, 8, died in Monday’s bombings when two explosions went off about 10 seconds apart, panicking thousands of people. About 175 people were injured and three were killed in the explosions.
“My dear son Martin has died from injuries sustained in the attack on Boston,” his father Bill Richard said in a statement. “My wife and daughter are both recovering from serious injuries. We thank our family and friends, those we know and those we have never met, for their thoughts and prayers.”
“I ask that you continue to pray for my family as we remember Martin,” Richard continued. “We also ask for your patience and for privacy as we work to simultaneously grieve and recover. Thank you.”
A single candle was placed in front of the Martin home overnight in Dorchester, Mass., and neighbors streamed to the house Tuesday to leave flowers. Someone wrote the word “peace” in white chalk at the end of the driveway.
The close-knit community quickly sprang into action to support the Richards. A neighbor created a now-private Google document called “Caring for the Richard Family.” In the chart, friends and strangers offered to cook dinners, start scholarship funds and help the family with medical bills and yard work, among many other services.
Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio