As assistant track coach at Streamwood (Ill.) High School, who was running in Monday’s Boston Marathon, is reportedly safe after an explosion at the race killed at least three people, including one 8-year-old boy, and injured about 140, the (Arlington Heights, Ill.) Daily Herald reports.
Having finished his fifth marathon in 2:59:03, Ryan Trippichio, 24, told the paper he was already on his way back to Chicago when the explosion occurred.
“This town has been A+ to all the people coming in this weekend,” the Daily Herald quoted him as saying. “They did not deserve for this to happen.”
The Chicago Tribune featured an article with more descriptions of events from Chicago-area runners who were in the Boston Marathon, here. One described seeing debris flying: “It’s a pretty disturbing thing to see. … There were people who were missing limbs, yes,” the Tribune quoted him as saying.
The explosions occurred near the finish line and left several people in critical condition, the Boston Globe reports.
President Obama, avoiding any reference to terrorism, said the person or group responsible for the explosions will feel the weight of justice. As of Monday evening, police did not report having any suspects in the explosions.