BY ADEYEMI OSHUNRINADE

April 17, 2013

Amidst a looming war in North Korea, instability in Syria and disagreement over the nuclear program in Iran, all a little boy wanted, was world peace. Just 8-year-old, Martin Richard got killed untimely this week along with two others, when a bomb exploded as he waited at the finish line with his family, to cheer up runners in the concluded Boston Marathon. His death not accidental but premeditated since the goal of those responsible for the senseless act, was to kill and destroy regardless of who might be the victim(s).

Besides Martin, Boston University graduate student, Lingzu Lu and Krystle Campbell, 29 of Arlington Massachusetts were also killed, in a ferocious attack that left many without limbs including Martin’s little sister. About a year before the bombing, Martin wrote four simple words on a sign designed for a school project he participated in. It read, “No more hurting people.” He also held a bright blue sign decorated with hearts and with the word “Peace.” The question people are asking is, who would want to hurt an innocent child or bystanders whose only reason for being at the site of bombing was to enjoy the Marathon?

The image of little Martin as seen on TV nationwide and the way he got killed, have become too difficult to understand as sympathizers worldwide struggle to comprehend the violence that led to his sudden death. He was a kid who despite his young age, demanded peace and advocated for people to stop hurting one another. A family friend described the grade-schooler, as a child who his teacher called, to help other kids in his class when such assistance is needed. However, the possibility a child might become victim, did not stop those willing to cause havoc on America to reconsider before engaging in their destructive act.

Denise Richard, Martin’s Mom was among the badly wounded. She sustained an injury to the brain that required surgery, while Martin’s 6-year-old sister lost a limb and was hospitalized as she underwent surgery according to a CNN affiliate WHDH. Martin’s father William Richard is a community leader who based on neighbors’ accounts is always willing to offer help to those in need. The Richards are known to play active role in the neighborhood and do give in many ways according to City Councilor at Large Ayanna Pressley. “They are beloved by this community,” she told The Globe.

On Tuesday when asked about his son, William Richard said in a statement: “My 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,” he said.

President Obama has said those responsible would feel the full weight of justice, as the intelligence community continues to search for clues that could lead to arrests. So far, no one has claimed responsibility for the despicable act but analysts are looking at it as a possible work of a homegrown terrorist group. The United States has not seen a major attack since 9/11. All attempts to attack the homeland were either stopped or discovered before they could be carried out. While it is too early to say, the Boston attack is not ruled out as work of foreign terrorists either, as U.S. counterterrorism officials seek information on threats made on Jihadist websites.

The attack has left Boston and its Police Department with a complex crime to deal with, and it may take a while to solve the most successful act of terror on the homeland since 9/11. No amount of public outcry and justice will bring back the victims including the little boy, who his School described as a “bright, energetic young boy who had big dreams and high hopes for the future.” While those responsible were successful in taking innocent souls, their evil act will not break America’s spirit of hope that truth shall prevail.

Dr. Adeyemi Oshunrinade [E. JD] is the author of ‘Wills Law and Contests,’ ‘Constitutional Law-First Amendment’ and ‘SAVING LOVE’ available at http://www.amazon.com/author/adeyemioshunrinade. Follow on Twitter @san0670.

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Categories: Current Affair, Disaster, General misconduct

Tags: Arlington Massachusetts, Barack Obama, Boston, Boston Attack, Boston Bombing, Boston Marathon, Boy killed in Boston terror attack, CNN, Krystle Campbell, Lingzu Lu, Martin, Martin Richard, Obama on Boston Attack, Terror attack in Boston, United States, What took place in Boston, WHDH, William Richard