Boston Marathon Hosted Newtown Families In VIP Seats Near Blasts

Boston, MA – Authorities are still sorting out the details regarding the deadly bombing at the Boston Marathon today, and, according to a new report, many families of the recent Newtown, Connecticut shooting may have been witnesses to yet another tragedy.

We all know the story. In December, a gunman shot and killed 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, leaving the nation devastated and shocked.

Today’s Boston Marathon honored the victims of the shooting at several points throughout the race. This included a 26-second silence to open the event and the 26th mile being dedicated to the people killed in the shooting.

Additionally, CBS Boston reports that nine members of the Newtown community were running in the event.

Laura Nowacki, spokeswoman for the Newtown Strong Fund, talked before the Boston Marathon about the special significance of the Newtown runners, as well as the 26th mile marker. “It’s just running, but we want our steps to count,” she said.

It wasn’t just Newtown community members running in the marathon who were there to represent the so recently wounded community, either. An Associated Press reporter told ThinkProgress that several of the families of Newtown victims were seated in the VIP section, close to where the blasts occurred.

Fortunately, none were injured.

No words. RT @timwilliamscbs: #BREAKINGNEWS: AP reporter says Newtown families were in the VIP section right by the explosion.

— Bart Hubbuch (@HubbuchNYP) April 15, 2013

It’s still very early, and solid details regarding the Boston Marathon bombing are still scarce. What we can confirm is that at least two people have died with 100+ injured. A “person of interest” is also reportedly in custody and injured from the blast.

Check back with The Inquisitrfor more updates on the Boston Marathon bombing.

[Image via: Gina Jacobs / Shutterstock.com]