Boy, 8, Killed Waiting for Dad to Finish Marathon

The death toll in yesterday's Boston Marathon bombing stands at three, and officials are confirming that one of those killed was an 8-year-old boy, CNN reports. The Boston Globe reports that residents of Dorchester came together last night to honor young Martin Richard. His mother suffered a serious brain injury in the blast and his 6-year-old sister lost a leg, reports WHDH, which notes that a single candle sat outside the family's home last night, with the word "peace" written on the sidewalk. The three were waiting for Martin's father to finish the race, reports the AP. Globe columnist Kevin Cullen spoke with firefighters, and paints an even more wrenching story: He writes that Martin "had gone out to hug his dad after he crossed the finish line. The dad walked on; the boy went back to the sidewalk to join his mom and his little sister. And then the bomb went off."

Boston-area hospitals have received at least 144 patients, 17 with critical injuries. At least eight children were being treated at hospitals, and outside of Tufts Medical Center's Children's Wing, a flag flew at half-mast last night. Hospital officials have confirmed that no patients tested positive for radiation or biological agents, but experts explain that the injuries suffered are some of the most difficult to treat. (More Boston Marathon stories.)