Explosion at the Boston Marathon Finish Line. Photo from 90.7 Rav FM Twitter.
WPRO Newsroom and the Associated Press
A Chinese newspaper has identified the third victim of the Boston Marathon bombings as Lingzi Lu, a Chinese national and graduate student at the Boston University. Eight-year-old Martin Richard and 29-year-old Krystle Campbell, both of Massachusetts, also perished in the attacks.
In a press briefing Monday night, President Barack Obama said "we still do not know who did this or why," something that hasn't changed in the days following the blasts. He cautioned people against jumping to conclusions, and promised justice would be served.
He also called Boston a "tough and resilient town." In a follow-up briefing Tuesday, Obama referred to the bombings as "an act of terror" for the first time publicly.
The twin bombings occurred about three hours after the winners crossed the finish line Monday afternoon. The bombs were constructed in pressure cookers and filled with shrapnel, nails and ball bearings.
Governor Lincoln Chafee said he was "shocked and saddened" by the news out of Boston.
"The thoughts and prayers of the people of our state are with the victims and their families and all of our neighbors in Massachusetts," he said in a statement.
The number of those injured has climbed to 176 and some of the injured are in critical condition. Doctors have said in press briefings that the majority of the injuries are orthopedic, and multiple amputations have been performed. Doctors have also found multiple pieces of the shrapnel from the bombs implanted in people's bodies.
"There are a lot of people down," one man told the Associated Press shortly after the blasts. His bib No. 17528 identified him as Frank Deruyter of North Carolina. He was not injured, but marathon workers were carrying one woman, who did not appear to be a runner, to the medical area as blood gushed from her leg. A Boston police officer was wheeled from the course with a leg injury that was bleeding.
Rhode Island State Trooper, Roupen Bastajian, ran the race and said he saw multiple people missing limbs; Colonel Stephen O'Donnell, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police, said Bastajian witnessed "what you see in war."
Rhode Island elected officials and dignitaries have extended their sympathies to the victims and their loved ones affected by the attacks. All flags in Rhode Island will be flown at half mast for the remainder of the week as a sign of respect to those impacted.
This story has been updated and will continue to be updated as more information becomes available.
