Family of Boy Killed in Boston Explosion Also Had Mom and Daughter Wounded

April 16, 2013 — -- The family of the 8-year-old boy killed in the Boston marathon bombings is struggling to cope with the boy's death as well as "serious" injuries to the boy's sister and mother.

Martin Richard, 8, died in Monday's bombings when two explosions went off about 10 seconds apart, panicking thousands of people. About 175 people were injured and three were killed.

"My dear son Martin has died from injuries sustained in the attack on Boston," his father Bill Richard said in a statement. "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," Richard said. "We also ask for your patience and for privacy as we work to simultaneously grieve and recover. Thank you."

LIVE UPDATES: Boston Marathon Bombing, Day 2

A single candle was placed in front of the Martin home overnight in Dorchester, Mass., and neighbors streamed to the house today to leave flowers. Someone wrote the word "peace" in white chalk at the end of the driveway.

"This is an unspeakable tragedy," family friend and neighbor Jim Hunt told ABCNews.com. "This family is a quintessential Boston family and leaders in our community, and our hearts and our prayers are with them at this time."

The close-knit community quickly sprang into action to support the Richards. A neighbor created a now-private Google document called "Caring for the Richard family." In the chart, friends and strangers offered to cook dinners, start scholarship funds and help the family with medical bills and yardwork, among many other services.

Neighbor Jane Sherman told ABC News' Boston affiliate WCVB that Martin was a typical 8-year-old who loved to ride his bike and play baseball.

"There are no words to describe how they are feeling or how we are feeling," Sherman told WCVB. "There are just no words."

COMPLETE COVERAGE: Boston Marathon Explosion

Richard family friend and editor of the Dorchester Reporter Billy Forry told WCVB that Martin was "a tremendous athlete" and "such a nice young man."

Forry said the entire Richard family -- parents Bill and Denise and kids Jane, Martin and Henry -- are very prominent in the community.

"[They are the] epitome of the pillar of the community. Both Denise and Bill have been very active in the community for several years," Forry told WCVB.

Forry said Bill Richard has competed in the marathon several times and that the family would attend the race every year.

Martin played sports with Forry's son, but Forry said he has not yet told his son about Martin's death, which he called an "unfathomable loss."

"We all feel like we have been assaulted, even if we didn't have a personal loss in our family," Forry said.