8-Year-Old Dorchester Boy Killed In Boston Marathon Explosions

BOSTON (CBS) - One of the people killed in the explosions at the Boston Marathon finish line Monday was an 8-year-old boy from Dorchester.

Martin Richard was killed in the bombing. His mother and sister were also injured in the blasts.

Hundreds attended a vigil Tuesday night for Martin at Garvey Park in Dorchester.

His mother Denise reportedly sustained a head injury and his 7-year-old sister has a serious leg injury, according to the Dorchester Reporter. Both are in area hospitals.

Martin's father Bill Richard released a statement Tuesday afternoon saying:

My dear son Martin has died from injuries sustained in the attack on Boston. 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. We also ask for your patience and for privacy as we work to simultaneously grieve and recover. Thank you.

Martin was reportedly at the race to watch his father, a community leader in Dorchester, according to the paper.

WBZ-TV's Michael Rosenfield was outside the Richard home in the Ashmont section where some people had stopped Tuesday morning to drop off flowers and candles.

Neighbor Dan Aguliar said he can't believe it happened in Boston.

"It's still unreal, it's amazing you see this happen in other places and as cliche as it is you always think it's never going to happen in your backyard," Aguliar said. "To know that little boy will never come home again will keep me up at night and will probably keep me up some more nights."

Aguliar told WBZ-TV the family has lived in the home for around 14 years.

The word "peace" was written on the sidewalk, outside the home.

Family members have declined to comment.

Martin Richard was a former student at Pope John Paul II Catholic Academy. The school released a statement Tuesday morning.

"The Pope John Paul II Catholic Academy community is offering its every prayer for the Richard family during this heartbreaking time. Martin was a former student of the Academy and was a kind, caring, and loving young boy who had great excitement for learning. We are deeply saddened by this tragedy."