On April 15 terror was once again struck into the hearts of many people with two bombs exploding near the finish line at the Boston Marathon. Killing and injuring many the suspects were then chased down.
As they were pursued the two suspects, brothers originally from Chechnya, threw bombs at police during the chase.
One of the suspects died during police pursuit in Watertown. During a shootout the younger suspect actually ran his brother over with a stolen vehicle, which was determined to be the cause of his death.
The other suspect was eventually found hiding in someone's boat under the cover. The owner of the boat noticed it was not covered how he had done it and inspected, calling 911 upon seeing a body in a pool of blood.
The younger brother fought until being arrested and was then taken to hospital, which was met with cheers from the crowd as Boston's state of emergency requiring a lockdown of the city was celebrated for finally being finished.
In total the brothers killed three people through the bombings at the marathon and a security officer at MIT. Many lost limbs during the bombing and police officers were injured during the shootout at Watertown.
Questions have been asked now regarding the brothers. How could a popular, wrestling captain, who was an inspiration to fellow class mates volunteering to assist people who are disabled, do this? How could his older brother, who was a boxing prodigy, turn out like this? How could the two, who seemed to have adjusted to the American lifestyle and thrived in it, become cold blooded killers?
The answer to that may never be known. They did grow up in political strife and war. They were relocated a number of times, but eventually found their way to the United States. Here the younger brother seemed to fit in, while it is said the older brother became increasingly radical religiously. But, overall they have been described as good, kind kids.
So, what changed? Unless the younger brother who is currently recovering in hospital will speak about their reasons why, we may never have an answer. The events were truly tragic and made me very happy to live where I do.
Other questions have also developed wondering why they chose to bomb a marathon and the question, is this just the beginning?
Through discussing the topic with others I learned that some believe this is the first of many attacks, that the boys were sleepers and were waiting to be told when to act. That there will soon be a number of attacks across the United States at random events to instill terror in people around the world.
Others I spoke with believe that the boys are not a part of a sleeper cell, but got caught up with a group of radicals who were determined to create mass terror. Either the boys had been planning and building bombs for quite some time, which would have left them with little time for socializing that they are said to have still taken part in, or they were a part of a larger faction.
Finally others remain planted in the boys being deeply disturbed, that they wore figurative masks in society even though they were deeply unhappy. That their experiences in their early years had marked them for violence later in life, it was just a matter of whether or not they would finally be pushed into it.
I think this matter has caused such terror because these two brothers were 'normal.' Deemed to now be terrorists it gets people thinking of the reasons behind why they participated in the bombings and if there are more people out there like them. This is why the idea that there might be sleepers in our midst has begun to be talked about.
The problem more so is anything can happen anywhere at any time, whether it is a terrorist attack or an act of nature people need to continue living their lives. They can't live in fear of what could happen because what if it never does. The fact that we only live once shouldn't stop you from actually living. Seeing the world, participating in marathons, and doing the things you love are important.
Even though this is an act of terror, which should never have happened, it does show the ways people can come together. Whether an act of terror, an act of nature, or a complete accident people will rally together to help their fellow neighbours in times of tragedy.
People comforting others, helping someone in pain, and doing what they can for others in a time of need is encouraging even if it is tragedy that brings people together. Independent of race, religion, political views, and more at a time like this people are people.
As a society we do care for each other even if we are often consumed by self thoughts or our own lives at times; but, overall the good outweigh the bad and in a time of need everyone rallies together in support of each other providing a strong sense of community. Though events are devastating it is this sense of humanity that needs to be looked for in times of need.
