Obama: Boston bombing 'act of terror'

         US President Barack Obama addressed Tuesday the Boston Marathon bombing, in which three people were killed and 176 were injured, 17 critically. President Obama called the Boston bombings an "act of terror," but said it is not clear yet whether the twin blasts were the work of a foreign or domestic group or a "malevolent individual." He called the bombing "a heinous and cowardly act" used to target innocent civilians. In an appearance in the White House briefing room, Obama urged Americans to be vigilant and to watch for suspicious activity. Earlier Tuesday, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said that the deadly twin bombings at the Boston Marathon finish line amounted to "cruel act of terror" and vowed that those who are responsible will be brought to justice. Hagel was the first Obama administration official to refer to terror or terrorism, after President Obama's Monday statement made no mention of terrorists or terrorism as a possible cause of the bombings In a reception held for Israel's diplomatic corps at the President's Residence in Jerusalem, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commented on the Boston Marathon bombing saying: "A day of joy became a day of terror. I send my condolences to President Barack Obama, the American people and the bereaved families. "Today, like everyday, Israel stands shoulder to shoulder with the American people," the prime minister added. President Shimon Peres also commented on the blasts, saying: "I wish to express solidarity with the pain of the families hurt yesterday and to send my condolences to those injured. "It is in these types of events when we all become one and feel part of those forced to pay a heavy price," Peres noted. Earlier Tuesday, Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis said no suspect had yet to be arrested in connection to the bombing, which left three dead. An 8-year-old boy was among the dead. He was identified as Martin Richard in a statement issued by his father, Bill Richard. Outside the family home in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston, people left flowers on the doorstep and someone had written "peace" in chalk on the sidewalk. "All of Dorchester is devastated. The whole world is devastated," said Jane Sherman, who lives next door. "I don't know if there are any words I can say. I don't know if there's anything anyone can say." The names of the other two people killed have not been released by authorities.