When the 2013 Boston Marathon occurred, lives were shattered and changed forever. Many asked why did this would happen. I couldn’t believe that someone would want to bomb a place where there are thousands of people and many could get hurt. That’s exactly what happened.

When I first found out about the bombing, I was flabbergasted. Who is so messed up that they would intentionally hurt others? It’s now two years later and the person who bombed the marathon, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, is found guilty of 30 criminal counts. I can’t imagine what the families affected by the bombings feel. I’m honestly surprised that he was found guilty. Considering the way our justice system has been lately, when I found out that he was guilty, I was overcome with relief. Someone like Tsarnaev deserves to be put away forever or be given the death penalty. The families of those killed or injured, expressed grief, hope and relief that justice had been served. I hope these families find some closure and try to move on. They deserve closure. They deserve to feel peaceful after everything they’ve been through. I couldn’t imagine losing a loved one. I thank God every day that I haven’t lost anyone close to me. I don’t know how I would handle it. My prayers go out to the families and I hope that the jury is smart with Tsarnaev’s sentencing. He deserves the worst punishment that’s available. If that sounds ruthless or unreasonable, so be it. But I don’t know how anyone could live with themselves knowing they’ve killed a human being and hurt families for the rest of their lives.

The trial began March 4 and the jury of seven women and five men deliberated on Tuesday morning after hearing from dozens of witnesses. Tsarnaev’s bombing killed three people and injured more than 250 others. It was lucky that only three people died. There could’ve been more people dead. Of the 30 counts, 17 of them carried the possibility of the death penalty. I agree with the death penalty. I think that if someone was deliberately trying to kill others or even hurt them, then they deserve the death penalty.

Lauren Gump is a freshman journalism major. Contact her at [email protected].