Boy, 8, killed by bomb as he cheered father in marathon

A BOY aged eight cheering on his father as he ran in the Boston Marathon was among the three people whose lives were claimed by the devastating dual bomb blasts that ripped through the crowds at the finish line.
Facebook photograph of Martin Richard, right, with his mother, Denise, his six-year-old sister Jane, older brother, Henry, 12, and father, Bill.Facebook photograph of Martin Richard, right, with his mother, Denise, his six-year-old sister Jane, older brother, Henry, 12, and father, Bill.
Facebook photograph of Martin Richard, right, with his mother, Denise, his six-year-old sister Jane, older brother, Henry, 12, and father, Bill.

Martin Richard was killed as he waited with his mother, Denise, and six-year-old sister Jane, who were among more than 170 people injured – many of them gravely – in the horrifying attacks.

Mrs Richard underwent brain surgery while her daughter lost a leg, according to some reports.

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A second victim was last night named by several news outlets as 29-year-old Krystle Campbell.

Her father William A. Campbell Jr, who was at the finish line as the bombs went off, told Yahoo News: “My daughter was the most lovable girl.

“She helped everybody, and I’m just so shocked right now. We’re just devastated. She was a wonderful, wonderful girl. Always willing to lend a hand.”

The third victim remained unknown.

President Barack Obama confirmed the FBI was investigating the tragedy as an act of terrorism and investigators have pledged to “go to the ends of the Earth” to find those responsible.

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A candle was reportedly placed on the doorstep of Martin’s home in the Boston neighbourhood of Dorchester yesterday, while the word “peace” was written in chalk on the front path.

Neighbour Betty Delorey said the little boy loved to climb trees while his father, Bill, the director of a local community group, and mother, who works at the Neighbourhood House Charter School, were described by those who knew them as “pillars of the community”.

No claims of responsibility had yet been made last night for the terror attack, which is the worst in the US since the 9/11 atrocity.

The Pakistani Taliban, which has threatened attacks in America because of its support for the Pakistani government, denied any role in the bombings.

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Addressing a press conference, President Obama described the tragedy as a “heinous and cowardly” act of terrorism.

But he added: “The American people refused to be terrorised. What the world saw yesterday in the aftermath of the explosions were stories of heroism and kindness and generosity and love.”

Police were reportedly searching a flat in the Boston suburb of Revere as part of their investigation, which local media claim is home to a Saudi national injured in the blast. Massachusetts State Police confirmed a search warrant was served on Monday but gave no more details.

Richard DesLauriers, the special agent in charge of the Boston FBI office, said “voluminous” tip-offs had been received since the marathon ended in tragedy. Interviewing witnesses and processing the crime scene would be a lengthy process, he added.

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“This will be a worldwide investigation. We will go to the ends of the Earth to find the subject or subjects responsible for this despicable crime,” he said.“Our mission is clear – to bring to justice those responsible.”

Counter-terrorism expert Richard Barrett, who has served with MI5 and MI6, said the bombings had hallmarks of a right-wing attack, rather than al Qaeda.

Mr Barrett, said: “At the moment it looks more likely that it was a right-wing terrorist incident, rather than an al Qaeda attack because of the size of the devices.”

He added: “This happened on Patriots’ Day, it is also the day Americans are supposed to have their taxes in, and Boston is quite a symbolic city. These are all little indicators.”

Runners refuse to cower before terror: Page 5

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