Reading stabbings: Three people dead after attack (authorities treating it as an act of terrorism)

[Abdullah719]

Multiple people are believed to have been knifed in a mass stabbing in a public park in Reading this evening.

Extremely graphic video on social media showing four people on the floor as they are helped by witnesses and police, with additional officers rushing to help amid screaming.

The footage shows a chaotic scene with people covered in blood and appearing not to move as they lay in the grass in Forbury Gardens in Reading, Berkshire.

Witnesses and police can be seen performing CPR on the possible stabbing victims. Blood is visible on the floor.

Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust confirmed two people were being treated for injuries at the Royal Berkshire Hospital A&E department.

There is a huge police presence and at least two air ambulances have landed near the scene. Witnesses also reported seeing a police helicopter in the sky amid claims of a manhunt.

Police so far have not confirmed any details about the major incident, including what happened or the number of potential victims, other than to say an investigation is underway.

The force did not say if anyone was in custody or being sought.

A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police tweeted: "We are aware of reports of an incident in Forbury Gardens, Reading.

"Officers are on the scene and investigating the incident."

A witness told Mirror Online she saw the emergency services performing CPR on people as police rushed to the scene and helicopters soon circled overhead.

She said: "My husband and I were walking back from Tesco after a grocery run, we always walk there.

"We take a break halfway at Forbury Gardens. I sat with my bags, drank water. I heard some children scream and cry, and assumed they were cranky.

"I was pointing to a mound and told my husband it would be perfect for a picnic spot. That's when I heard sirens.

"We saw emergency services perform CPR. We rushed outside the gardens and continued walking onto Friar Street."

The woman said she was terrified by what she witnessed and went home.

Police sealed off a large area around the scene and local councillors urged people to stay away after the incident was reported around 7.30pm.

At least two air ambulances landed near the scene.

Several roads around the park were closed and a number of businesses were forced to close, BerkshireLive reported.

Councillor Jason Brock, leader of Reading Council, tweeted: "Concerning reports from Reading town centre - please stay clear of the area as Police are dealing with a serious incident.

"@ReadingCouncil are in touch with the emergency services and will support them as necessary."

Councillor Adele Barnett-Ward added: "Very concerning news coming in about a serious incident in Forbury Gardens.

"Please keep away from the area so emergency services can do their jobs. My thoughts are with everyone affected."

Following the incident, one witness tweeted: "Not looking good down here folks so best avoid round by The Forbury and let the emergency services do their thing. We are lucky to have them."

Another person wrote: "Absolutely crazy. A mate was there and saw it all unfold, said it was absolutely shocking."

A Black Lives Matter protest was held at the bandstand in the park earlier on Saturday.

There was no suggestion that anyone from the protest was involved in the incident

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/breaking-reading-incident-police-air-22226334

 

[Abdullah719]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Breaking?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Breaking</a> Three people have died and two people are in critical care in hospital after an apparently random stabbing attack in Forbury Gardens, Reading, sources have told the Telegraph</p>— Jack Hardy (@JackHardy9) <a href="https://twitter.com/JackHardy9/status/1274435746041139203?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 20, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Saj]

BREAKING: Officers have arrested a man at the scene of a "serious incident" at a park in Reading, and he is now in police custody.

 

[sweep_shot]

Tragic incident.

I wonder if this has any relation with BLM protests. Let's wait and see.

 

[Saj]

A source tells Sky News that it is believed a multiple stabbing in Reading centre is terror-related.

 

[IMMY69]

apparently some Libyan man...

What is wrong with these creatures??

 

[Kashmirilion]

A source tells Sky News that it is believed a multiple stabbing in Reading centre is terror-related.

"Thames Valley Police said they are keeping an open mind as to the motive and although they are not currently treating it as a terrorist-related incident they are being supported by colleagues from Counter-Terrorism Command."

 

[MenInG]

Three people have died and three more have been seriously injured after stabbings in a park in Reading, police confirmed.

A 25-year-old man from Reading has been arrested on suspicion of murder after being detained at the scene.

The attack happened at Forbury Gardens at about 19:00 BST where several people were stabbed.

Police are not currently treating the incident as terror-related, but counter terrorism officers were called.

Security sources have told the BBC a man arrested at the scene is thought to be Libyan.

One eyewitness told the BBC how he saw a man move between groups of people in the park trying to stab them and how the man ran towards him.

There were reports a police officer had "rugby tackled" the suspect to the ground, according to the Sunday Mirror.

Detective Chief Superintendent Ian Hunter, from Thames Valley Police, said they are not looking for any other people in connection with the attack.

He added: "This is not currently being treated as a terrorism incident, however officers are keeping an open mind as to the motivation for the incident and are being supported by colleagues from Counter Terrorism Policing South East."

Police have asked anyone with mobile phone footage of the attack to come forward.

But people have been urged not to share videos and photos online "out of respect for the victims' families" after footage was circulated on social media.

Thames Valley Police said the incident was not connected to an earlier Black Lives Matter (BLM) protest in the park.

About a dozen armed police officers carrying shields were later seen entering a block of flats in Basingstoke Road in Reading at around 23:00 BST.

BBC News Home Affairs correspondent Dominic Casciani, who was outside the block of flats, said he heard a loud bang at the scene.

Throughout Saturday evening, residents of the Basingstoke Road flats that were raided by the police stood - increasingly cold - on the footpath, watching on astonished as armed police entered their home.

The first officers arrived at 20:00 BST and secured the scene - apparently asking some residents to leave their flats or preventing others from returning.

Two specialist Incident Response Units from the ambulance service arrived - indicating that police were possibly taking additional precautions at the scene.

At 23:00 BST, more than a dozen armed officers, carrying shields entered the central block and climbed the stairs to the upper floors. Around 00:30 BST there was a loud bang that sounded like it came from inside one of the flats.

Shortly afterwards lots of the armed team left the scene. People here are shocked - but absolutely none the wiser as to what is going on.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said his "thoughts are with all of those affected by the appalling incident in Reading".

"My thanks to the emergency services on the scene," he added.

South Central Ambulance Service said it was "assessing and treating a number of casualties who had sustained injuries as a result of the incident".

Laurence Wort, 20, who was visiting Reading for the day, told the BBC he was about 10m away when the attack started.

"The park was pretty full, a lot of people sat around drinking with friends when one lone person walked through, suddenly shouted some unintelligible words and went round a large group trying to stab them.

"He stabbed three of them and then turned and started running towards me, when we turned and started running.

"When he realised that he couldn't catch us he tried to stab another group sat down.

"He got one in the back of the neck and then when he realised everyone was starting to run, he ran out the park."

Claire Gould, a freelance journalist who lives in Reading, said she walked past Forbury Gardens at around 18:40 BST "and everything seemed calm".

She then saw an air ambulance land in King's Meadow - another park close to the scene - at around 19:00 BST, followed by a second around 10 minutes later.

"There were multiple sirens from 19:00 going on for the next couple of hours and police helicopters [were] circling," she added.

Home Secretary Priti Patel tweeted to say she was "deeply concerned" at the incident.

She said: "My thoughts are with everyone involved, including police and emergency responders at the scene."

Ms Patel later issued a statement condemning the stabbings as a "senseless attack on people simply enjoying a Saturday evening with family and friends".

Policing minister Kit Malthouse tweeted his "deepest sympathies to all affected" and described the incident as "horrific" and "dreadful".

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the stabbing was "very concerning".

A Black Lives Matter protest was held in the area a few hours before the attack.

BLM organiser Nieema Hassan said in a video message posted to Facebook: "They [BLM protesters] were very peaceful and we worked with the police liaison.

"In terms of the protest and the people who attended from Black Lives Matter, we're all safe.

"None of us are affected. We had all left by the time this happened."

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-berkshire-53123975

<iframe width="400" height="500" frameborder="0" src="https://www.bbc.com/news/av/embed/p08hl9k0/53124198"></iframe>

 

[MenInG]

A 25-year-old man, from Reading, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder and is currently in custody.

Thames Valley Police said it has launched a murder investigation and is keeping an open mind as to the motive, and although it is not currently treated as a terrorist-related incident it is being supported by colleagues from Counter-Terrorism Command.

Graphic video has appeared on social media of at least two bloodied people being given CPR. Authorities have urged people not to share such content.

A witness told of how he saw a man walk up to a group of about 10 people and stab some of them in the neck and under the arms.

Detective Chief Superintendent Ian Hunter, of Thames Valley Police, said: "We have made one arrest and at this stage we are not looking for any other people in connection with this incident.

"There is no intelligence to suggest that there is any further danger to the public, however we urge people to remain vigilant and report anything suspicious by calling police.

"This is not currently being treated as a terrorism incident, however officers are keeping an open mind as to the motivation for the incident and are being supported by colleagues from Counter Terrorism Policing South East."

Images have emerged of police carrying out an armed operation at a block of flats in Reading where the suspect was apparently held.

Sky News' home affairs correspondent Mark White said: "A block of flats, about two miles from the park where the stabbings took place, was raided by counter-terrorism specialist firearm officers.

"There was the sound of an explosion inside the building after all residents were taken to safety.

Counter-terrorism specialist firearm officers at a block of flats off Basingstoke Rd in Reading after an incident at Forbury Gardens
"The building is believed to be the home address of the 25-year-old man, understood to be a Libyan national resident in the UK, who was arrested and is now in custody."

In response to the attack, Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted: "My thoughts are with all of those affected by the appalling incident in Reading and my thanks to the emergency services on the scene."

A peaceful Black Lives Matter protest took place at the park earlier on Saturday. Police have confirmed the attack was not connected to the protest.

BLM protest organiser Nieema Hassan said in a video message posted to Facebook: "They were very peaceful and we worked with the police liaison.

"In terms of the protest and the people who attended from Black Lives Matter, we're all safe. None of us are affected. We had all left by the time this happened."

Home Secretary Priti Patel tweeted: "Deeply concerned to hear reports of an incident in Reading. My thoughts are with everyone involved, including police and emergency responders at the scene."

Policing and justice minister Kit Malthouse described the incident as "horrific" while calling on people not to share any footage of the attack online.

"An horrific, dreadful incident. Deepest sympathies to all affected," he said in a tweet.

Reading Borough Council leader Jason Brock tweeted he was "shocked and appalled" by the incident.

"My immediate thoughts are with the families of all those who have died or have been injured," he said.

"All of us at @ReadingCouncil condemn this horrific and senseless attack in the strongest possible terms. We also offer our continued support to the emergency services who responded so quickly."

https://news.sky.com/story/police-d...lack-lives-matter-protest-in-reading-12011506

 

[MenInG]

A witness has told of how he saw a man walk up to a group of about 10 people and stab some of them in the neck and under the arms in a busy Reading park.

Lawrence Wort said the attacker then started running towards him but could not catch him and the perpetrator tried to target another group.

Three people are confirmed to have died following the multiple stabbings around 7pm on Saturday in Forbury Gardens in the centre of the town.

Mr Wort said he had been around 10 metres from the scene and the attack looked "completely random".

He said: "So the park was pretty full, a lot of people sat around drinking with friends when one lone person walked through, suddenly shouted some unintelligible words and went around a large group of around 10, trying to stab them.

"He stabbed three of them, severely in the neck, and under the arms, and then turned and started running towards me, and we turned and started running.

"When he realised that he couldn't catch us, he tried to stab another group sat down, he got one person in the back of the neck and then when he realised everyone was starting to run, he ran out the park."

A man, reported to be a Libyan national living in the UK, has been arrested.

Meanwhile, a second witness said she heard sirens and then saw emergency services carrying out CPR on at least three people following the stabbings.

The woman said she was "terrified" by what she viewed in Forbury Gardens and was feeling "very shaken" back home.

The unnamed witness told the Daily Mirror: "My husband and I were walking back from Tesco after a grocery run, we always walk there.

"We take a break halfway at Forbury Gardens. I sat with my bags, drank water. I heard some children scream and cry, and assumed they were cranky.

"I was pointing to a mound and told my husband it would be perfect for a picnic spot. That's when I heard sirens.

"We saw emergency services perform CPR. We rushed outside the gardens and continued walking on to Friar Street."

Freelance journalist Claire Gould, who lives near the scene, said she saw two air ambulances land on the nearby Kings Meadow.
She described hearing lots of sirens and said surrounding roads and a retail park had been cordoned off by officers.

She told Sky News: "Forbury Gardens is the main park in the centre of Reading. It's two minutes from the station.

"It's the area where people tend to meet friends, especially during lockdown as it's a large green space. On a sunny day like today, there were lots of people picnicking and socialising."

A woman from Reading said the stabbings had left her "heartbroken" and she said she did not want the incident to define the Berkshire town.

Mica Blackwell tweeted: "I've lived in Reading all my life & I've never felt unsafe at Forbury Gardens.

"Tonight's incident has left me heartbroken for everyone. Don't let this define our town. We will get through this stronger. Stay safe everyone."

https://news.sky.com/story/reading-stabbings-witness-tells-of-seeing-cpr-on-people-at-scene-12011541

 

[MenInG]

Three people have died and three others injured in a stabbing in a park in Reading

Police say the attack has been 'declared a terrorist incident'

One eyewitness told the BBC he saw a man move from group to group stabbing people in the park

Thames Valley Police said a 25-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder

Counter terrorism officers were called out, but police say the incident is not being treated as terrorism

The PM condemns the "appalling incident" and the home secretary says it was a "senseless attack on people simply enjoying a Saturday evening"

 

[MenInG]

Counter-terror police take over investigation

Officers from Counter Terrorism Policing South East have taken over the investigation.

Chief Constable John Campbell, from Thames Valley Police, said: “I am deeply saddened by the events of last night.

“This was a truly tragic incident and the thoughts of Thames Valley Police are with all those who have been affected.

“Incidents of this nature are very rare, though I know that will be of little comfort to those involved and understand the concern that this incident will have caused amongst our local community.

“We will be working closely with our partners over the coming days and weeks to support the Reading community during this time, as well as with CTPSE as they progress their investigation."

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

apparently some Libyan man...

What is wrong with these creatures??

Have you seen the state of Libya?

 

[Abdullah719]

UK authorities say they are treating park stabbing spree as terrorism

READING, England (Reuters) - A stabbing rampage in the southern English town of Reading, in which three people were killed and three others were seriously wounded, is being treated as terrorism, police said on Sunday.

A 25-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder after the stabbings on Saturday evening in a park in Reading, which is about 40 miles (65 km) west of London..

A security source told Reuters that the man, who remains in police custody, is a Libyan.

“Counter Terrorism Policing can now confirm that the stabbing incident that happened in Reading last night has now been declared a terrorist incident,” Thames Valley Police said in a statement.

Spoiler

Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who has described the incident as appalling, held a meeting on Sunday with security officials, senior ministers and police to be updated about the investigation, a spokesman for Johnson said.

Initially police and the government had said the incident did not appear to be terrorism and they were keeping an open mind as to the motive. They said they were not looking for any more suspects in relation to the incident.

The stabbings took place on a sunny evening hours after a rally by anti-racism protesters in the park, Forbury Gardens, but appeared to be unrelated to that.

“The Black Lives Matter event had finished some three hours previous and was by all accounts a very well conducted peaceful demonstration and this is not a connected attack with that whatsoever,” Jason Brock, the head of the local council authority, told the BBC.

Current coronavirus restrictions mean venues like pubs are closed, so many people in Britain gather in parks in the evenings to meet friends.

“Incidents of this nature are very rare, though I know that will be of little comfort to those involved and understand the concern that this incident will have caused amongst our local community,” said Chief Constable John Campbell of Thames Valley Police.

A witness said the attack began when a man suddenly veered toward a group of about eight to 10 friends and began stabbing them. The nature of the attack was reminiscent of a number of recent incidents in Britain that authorities considered to be terrorism.

In February, police shot dead a man, previously jailed for promoting violent Islamist material, who had stabbed two people on a busy street in south London. Last November another man who had been jailed for terrorism offences stabbed two people to death on London Bridge before he too was shot dead by police.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...ark-stabbing-spree-as-terrorism-idUSKBN23S0A1

 

[MenInG]

Metropolitan Police's the head of counter terrorism policing Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu says there is nothing to suggest anyone else was involved in the Reading attack and police are not currently seeking anyone else as part of the investigation

 

[MenInG]

Metropolitan Police's the head of counter terrorism policing Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu says there is nothing to suggest anyone else was involved in the Reading attack and police are not currently seeking anyone else as part of the investigation

https://news.sky.com/story/reading-...-terror-incident-12011719?dcmp=snt-sf-twitter

 

[IMMY69]

Have you seen the state of Libya?

I think anyone who does this sort of crime has some degree of mental health issues. These issues can be bought about by any number of things including living in a war torn country...

But when you’re given an opportunity to escape that and live in a country like England I think there should be no excuse for such acts. This is made even worse knowing that he’s carried out smaller crimes before and had been in jail.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

I think anyone who does this sort of crime has some degree of mental health issues. These issues can be bought about by any number of things including living in a war torn country...

But when you’re given an opportunity to escape that and live in a country like England I think there should be no excuse for such acts. This is made even worse knowing that he’s carried out smaller crimes before and had been in jail.

There is also the possibility that he is actually a terrorist, and escaped Libya specifically to launch this type of attack. I suppose if you get hundreds of refugees coming from a country, there is always a chance one of them could be a terrorist, or indeed just a basket case.

 

[MenInG]

PM: Lessons will be learned from attack

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "If there are lessons that we need to learn about how we handle such cases we will learn those lessons and we will not hesitate to take action where necessary."

 

[MenInG]

The man arrested over the attack in Reading is understood to be named Khairi Saadallah

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said he is "appalled and sickened" by the suspected terror attack in Reading and pledged "we will not hesitate to take action" if there are lessons to be learned

 

[Firebat]

Attacker 'had five-inch knife'

The attacker was carrying a "five-inch knife", one witness to the Forbury Gardens attack has said.

"I thought it was a fight or scuffle at first," Lawrence Wort said.

He said the attacker "darted" between people who were sitting in the park.

"He was moving anti-clockwise round a circle of people," Mr Wort said.

"I saw a large knife, it must have been five inches...I started shouting 'run'."

 

[Firebat]

Chief constable praises officers and public

Chief Constable John Campbell from Thames Valley Police said "lives have been devastated" by the attack in Reading.

He said a suspect was apprehended within five minutes of the attack starting and praised the bravery of his officers.

"A number of members of the public" also helped at the scene,he said, thanking them.

He said there was "no wider risk to the public" and it was believed "no-one else is involved".

 

[Firebat]

Starmer: People 'united in grief' after attack

The Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has said "people are united in their grief" following the terror attack in Reading.

"This was a horrific incident, our thoughts and our hearts go out to all those affected, particularly the family and friends of those who tragically died," he said.

"I think across Reading, across the country, people are united in their grief at this incident.”

"It’s very important that the investigation runs its course, but I will want to work with the government in response to this, to look at whether there’s lessons that can be learned, whether there need to be changes to the law.

"This is not a time for party politics."

 

[chacha kashmiri]

Foreign policy always causes these nut jobs to commit moments of madness in the hope they will land 72 virgins when their soul wakes up
Libya is a terrorists paradise at the moment with anyone from Russia to France to the Emirates and Turkey backing different parties

Historically speaking libya has always been Italys love affair since before world war one when libya didn't even exist but compromised of different entities which combined to become libya
The senussis and mukhtar are long gone and what remains is a cesspit which makes the nuclear disasters in nagasaki and chernobyl look good


The world needs to wake up and bring normality and stability back to Libya

 

[MenInG]

The man held on suspicion of killing three people at a park in Reading is Khairi Saadallah.

The 25-year-old from the town was arrested at the scene on Saturday and police say they are not looking for anyone else over the terror incident.

Sources told the BBC he is originally from Libya and was brought to the attention of MI5 in 2019.

PM Boris Johnson said he was "appalled and sickened" by the attack in Forbury Gardens on Saturday evening.

Security sources told the BBC the suspect came to the attention of the security services after they received information he had aspirations to travel to Syria - potentially for terrorism.

It is understood the information was further investigated, and no genuine threat or immediate risk was identified.

No case file was opened which would have made him a target for further investigation.

Mr Johnson has promised action following the incident "if there are lessons that we need to learn".

Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu, head of counter-terrorism policing, described it as an "atrocity" and said his "deepest sympathies go to the families who will be mourning loved ones after this horrific act".

Mr Basu said investigators are not looking for anyone else in connection with the attack.

Saturday's horrifying killings may be another example of what security chiefs call "lone actor" attack where a single individual turns extremist beliefs into murderous actions.

In November last year, the UK's official threat level from terrorism was reduced from "severe" to "substantial" - meaning it remained likely - but there was no intelligence of an immediate risk to life.

Since then, there have already been three major incidents in which two people have died. Two of those attacks were carried out by lone individuals.

Today, detectives will be interviewing their suspect - and a huge operation will have swung into operation.

Electronic analysts will delve into any social media accounts linked to the suspect; they'll trawl every call and text message going back years, looking for contacts with extremists.

Intelligence officers at MI5 will review both their open and closed case files on so-called "subjects of interest".

A picture will emerge of the suspect's movements. What led to the attack may be very difficult to identify.

A witness told the BBC he saw a man moving between groups of people in the park in Reading town centre, trying to stab them.

Three other people were injured in the attack, which took place at about 19:00 BST on Saturday.

Two of the injured people have been discharged and one remains in hospital, although the injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has said that "people are united in their grief" following the attack, and that he wants to speak to the prime minister to discuss how to "learn from this."

"This is not a time for party politics," he said.

"It's incumbent on all of us to pull together in response to this on a cross party basis."

Thames Valley Police said on Sunday morning the attack was now being treated as terrorism and that Counter Terrorism Policing South East would be taking over the investigation.

The force's chief constable, John Campbell, told reporters later that a man was arrested within five minutes of the first emergency call made to police - at 18:56 BST on Saturday.

He said lives had been "devastated", but added that there was not believed to be a wider risk to the public and there was nothing to suggest anyone else was involved.

"I would like to reassure you that at this time we do not believe there to be a wider risk to the public," he said.

He added: "I am sure we would all want to recognise the bravery of those police officers responding, but also that a number of members of the public were helping my officer's and the victims at what was a very distressing scene."


Media captionEyewitness Lawrence Wort on Reading stabbing attack: 'I saw a massive knife in his hand... at least five inches minimum'
The prime minister has held a meeting with security officials, police and senior ministers over the incident.

Speaking in Downing Street, Mr Johnson said: "If there are lessons that we need to learn about how we handle such cases, how we handle the events leading up to such cases then we will learn those lessons and we will not hesitate to take action when necessary."

He said that included changes to the law, as they had done over the automatic early release of terrorist offenders.

Of the three injured people, one was seen at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, where they were discharged without being admitted to hospital.

Two were admitted to the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading. One has been discharged, while another remains in a stable condition under observation.

Mr Basu said police were working with the coroner to formally identify those who had died and he praised the actions of Thames Valley Police officers - "unarmed and incredibly brave" - who detained the suspect.

He also said the public should not be alarmed about visiting busy places as a result of this attack.

"Let me be clear, there is no specific intelligence to suggest anyone attending crowded places is at risk, but I would ask the public: please continue with your daily lives, but be alert, not alarmed, when you are out in public," he said.

The UK's terrorism threat level of "substantial" is the third of five ratings at which the threat level can stand.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-53129046

 

[Saj]

The man suspected of stabbing three people to death in a Reading park is believed to be Khairi Saadallah.
He is a 25-year-old Libyan refugee who was granted asylum in the UK, Sky News understands.

Police declared the incident in Forbury Gardens in central Reading at 7pm on Saturday a terror attack and counter-terrorism police have now taken over the investigation.

Saadallah was apprehended within five minutes of police being called at 6.56pm and was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder. He is currently in custody.
Members of the public helped the police and gave first aid to people who had been stabbed.

Another three people were seriously injured in the attack. One was discharged from hospital today and the other two are still being treated.

Police have not named the suspect but two sources have told Sky News Saadallah is the suspect.

Officers were seen searching the top floor of the block of flats where he is believed to live in Basingstoke Road, near Forbury Gardens, on Saturday night.
An explosion was heard while police were in the building and an officer said the entire corridor on the floor he lives on is involved in the crime scene.
One neighbour from the same floor of the building, who did not want to be named, said: "I've only spoken to him for 30 minutes, I didn't know the guy but it makes me scared. I have a son. I had no idea he (the suspect) could do something like this."

Another resident, Nathalie Hickson, said: "I heard on the radio that there had been stabbings, then I could see a helicopter so I knew there was something major going on.
"There were loads of police, all sorts of cars, van. There wasn't noise at first, like waiting for something to happen, with police, counter-terrorism all here.
"Basically it was like watching a film, I was scared, petrified. You just don't know what's going to happen next. I heard explosions going off.
"It's just horrendous for the people who have gone through."
Investigators said they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the attack.
Amir Haydyoon, who saw the suspect being arrested, told Sky News: "There was a guy on the ground and the officers rugby tackled him.
"His eyes weren't blinking, he was just staring, and there was a lot of blood in his hand.
"He wasn't resisting or anything, even though there were four, five officers on top of him."

Personal trainer Lawrence Wort, 20, who said he was about 10 metres from the attack, said the park was "pretty full".
"One lone person walked through, suddenly shouted some unintelligible words and went around a large group of around 10, trying to stab them," he said.
"He stabbed three of them, severely in the neck, and under the arms, and then turned and started running towards me, and we turned and started running.
"When he realised that he couldn't catch us, he tried to stab another group sat down, he got one person in the back of the neck and then when he realised everyone was starting to run, he ran out the park."

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he is "appalled and sickened" by the suspected terror attack and pledged "we will not hesitate to take action" if there are lessons to be learned.
Chief Constable John Campbell, of Thames Valley Police, said: "Incidents of this nature are very rare, though I know that will be of little comfort to those involved and understand the concern that this incident will have caused amongst our local community.
"We will be working closely with our partners over the coming days and weeks to support the Reading community during this time, as well as with Counter-Terror Police South East (CTPSE) as they progress their investigation."
He asked the public to avoid the area and also to "avoid speculation" about the attack as he appealed for any video footage to be shared with police only.
"Out of respect for those deceased and injured, along with their loved ones, please do not circulate this footage on social media - this will be incredibly distressing."

https://news.sky.com/story/reading-...as-suspect-in-forbury-gardens-attack-12011810

 

[The Viper]

Security sources have told the BBC that the man suspected of carrying out the Reading attack was brought to the attention of MI5 in 2019.

Sources say that Khairi Saadallah came to the attention of the security services after they received information that he had aspirations to travel abroad, potentially for terrorism.

When the information was further investigated, as the first stage of looking into a potential lead, no genuine threat or immediate risk was identified.

No case file was opened which would have made him a target for further investigation.

 

[MenInG]

The family of a "beautiful" and "intelligent" teacher killed in the Reading terror attack have paid tribute to him, as his pupils plan to honour him today.

James Furlong, 36, was among three people stabbed to death in Forbury Gardens in the town centre on Saturday evening.

The suspect - believed to be 25-year-old Khairi Saadallah - is in custody after being detained on suspicion of murder and re-arrested under the Terrorism Act.

It is understood the Libyan refugee, who was granted asylum in the UK, was briefly on the radar of MI5 last year but there was not enough concern to launch a full investigation.

Police have declared the stabbing incident a terror attack and counter-terrorism police have now taken over the investigation.

A minute's silence will be held for the victims at 10am on Monday, the mayor of Reading said.

The Holt School in Wokingham in Berkshire - where Mr Furlough was head of history, government and politics - has cancelled all classes for the day out of respect.

The secondary school has also invited pupils and parents to light a candle in honour of Mr Furlong at a nearby church.

In an emotional tribute, his parents, Gary and Janet, described their son as a "wonderful man" who was "beautiful, intelligent, honest and fun".

"He was the best son, brother, uncle and partner you could wish for. We are thankful for the memories he gave us all," they said.

"We will never forget him and he will live in our hearts forever."

Mr Furlong was described by co-headteachers Anne Kennedy and Katie Pearce as "wonderfully talented", "inspirational" and a "kind and gentle man".

A statement from the school read: "He had a real sense of duty and cared for each and every one of our students.

"He truly inspired everyone he taught through his passion for his subject and his dedication.

"He was determined that our students would develop a critical awareness of global issues and in doing so become active citizens and have a voice.

"Words cannot describe our shock and sadness at this time. Our thoughts are with his mum, dad, brother and family and his friends and colleagues."

A man ran into Forbury gardens and attacked people

Jade Simon, one of his former pupils, described him as a "really incredible teacher".

She said he was "funny and kind" and "always made history fun and entertaining".

A man ran into the park where Mr Furlong and others were enjoying the good weather just before 7pm on Saturday armed with a knife.

The attacker stabbed six people, killing three and seriously injuring three others, who were airlifted to hospital.

The suspect was arrested nearby within five minutes of the first 999 call, Thames Valley Police said.

Forensic officers work near Forbury Gardens, in Reading town centre, the scene of a multiple stabbing attack which took place at around 7pm on Saturday leaving three people dead and another three seriously injured.

The Metropolitan Police's counter terrorism command has declared they were treating the stabbings as a terror incident and have taken over the investigation.

Forty-one witnesses have been in touch with police, assistant commissioner Neil Basu said.

He urged people not to share graphic footage of two of the bloodied victims being given CPR that appeared on social media.

Police stressed the attacks were not related to the earlier Black Lives Matter protest, which took place "peacefully" in Forbury Gardens earlier on Saturday.

https://news.sky.com/story/reading-...-pupils-as-family-hail-wonderful-man-12012068

 

[MenInG]

The man held on suspicion of killing three people at a park in Reading was known to MI5, security sources say.

Khairi Saadallah, 25, from the town, was arrested on Saturday and police say they are not looking for anyone else over the terror incident.

Sources told the BBC he is originally from Libya and came to the attention of MI5 in 2019.

One victim has been named as teacher James Furlong - described by his family as "a wonderful man".

Paying tribute to Mr Furlong, 36, head of history, government and politics at The Holt School in Wokingham, his parents Gary and Janet said: "He was beautiful, intelligent, honest and fun."

PM Boris Johnson said he was "appalled and sickened" by the attack in Forbury Gardens on Saturday evening.

Counter Terrorism Policing South East (CTSPE) said a 25-year-old man from Reading, who was arrested initially on suspicion of murder on Saturday, has now been re-arrested under Section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000.

Security sources said the suspect came to the attention of the security services after they received information he had aspirations to travel abroad - potentially for terrorism, according to the BBC's home affairs correspondent Dominic Casciani.

When the information was further investigated, as the first stage of looking into a potential lead, no genuine threat or immediate risk was identified.

No case file was opened which would have made him a target for further investigation.

The Holt School said Mr Furlong was a "kind and gentle man" with a "real sense of duty".

In a statement, Anne Kennedy and Katie Pearce - co-head teachers of the secondary school for girls - said Mr Furlong "truly inspired everyone he taught through his passion for his subject and his dedication".

"He was determined that our students would develop a critical awareness of global issues and in doing so, become active citizens and have a voice," they said.

Mr Johnson has promised action following the incident "if there are lessons that we need to learn".

Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu, head of counter-terrorism policing, described it as an "atrocity" and said his "deepest sympathies go to the families who will be mourning loved ones after this horrific act".

Mr Basu said investigators are not looking for anyone else in connection with the attack.

Saturday's horrifying killings may be another example of what security chiefs call a "lone actor" attack where a single individual turns extremist beliefs into murderous actions.

In November last year, the UK's official threat level from terrorism was reduced from "severe" to "substantial" - meaning it remained likely - but there was no intelligence of an immediate risk to life.

Since then, there have already been three major incidents in which two people have died. Two of those attacks were carried out by lone individuals.

Today, detectives will be interviewing their suspect - and a huge operation will have swung into operation.

Electronic analysts will delve into any social media accounts linked to the suspect; they'll trawl every call and text message going back years, looking for contacts with extremists.

Intelligence officers at MI5 will review both their open and closed case files on so-called "subjects of interest".

A picture will emerge of the suspect's movements. What led to the attack may be very difficult to identify.

Detective Chief Superintendent Kath Barnes, Head of CTPSE, said the investigation "continues to move at a fast pace".

The suspect was arrested within five minutes of the first emergency call made to police, and a number of officers were quickly on the scene, she confirmed.

A friend of the suspect told the BBC's home affairs correspondent Daniel Sandford that Saadallah seemed to be a "normal, genuine guy", and had been someone with whom to smoke cannabis.

Kieran Vernon said: "He seemed like me or you. Whenever we used to meet up we used to talk about drinking whisky and how different ganja affects the different thinking of mind.

"And that's pretty much all we'd chat about."

Mr Sandford was also told by neighbours of the suspect that he once threw a television out of a top floor window and was regularly visited by a mental health key worker.

Thoughts with victims' families, PM says
A witness told the BBC he saw a man moving between groups of people in the park in Reading town centre, trying to stab them.

Three other people were injured in the attack, which took place at about 19:00 BST on Saturday.

Two of the injured people have been discharged and one remains in hospital, although the injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has said that "people are united in their grief" following the attack, and that he wants to speak to the prime minister to discuss how to "learn from this."

"This is not a time for party politics," he said.

"It's incumbent on all of us to pull together in response to this on a cross party basis."

Thames Valley Police said on Sunday morning the attack was now being treated as terrorism and that Counter Terrorism Policing South East would be taking over the investigation.

Speaking to reporters later, the force's chief constable, John Campbell, said lives had been "devastated", but added that there was not believed to be a wider risk to the public and there was nothing to suggest anyone else was involved.

He added: "I am sure we would all want to recognise the bravery of those police officers responding, but also that a number of members of the public were helping my officers and the victims at what was a very distressing scene."

Officers in forensic suits were seen walking near to the scene on Sunday
The prime minister has held a meeting with security officials, police and senior ministers over the incident.

Speaking in Downing Street, Mr Johnson said: "If there are lessons that we need to learn about how we handle such cases, how we handle the events leading up to such cases then we will learn those lessons and we will not hesitate to take action when necessary."

He said that included changes to the law, as they had done over the automatic early release of terrorist offenders.

Two were admitted to the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading. One has been discharged, while another remains in a stable condition under observation.

Mr Basu said police were working with the coroner to formally identify those who had died and he praised the actions of Thames Valley Police officers - "unarmed and incredibly brave" - who detained the suspect.

He also said the public should not be alarmed about visiting busy places as a result of this attack.

A police cordon remains in place around Forbury Gardens - which is a short walk from the train station - and blue and white tents have been erected next to the walls of the park.

The UK's terrorism threat level of "substantial" is the third of five ratings at which the threat level can stand.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-53129046

 

[MenInG]

Reading stabbings: American Joe Ritchie-Bennett named as victim

An American man is the second victim of the Reading stabbings to be named.

Joe Ritchie-Bennett had lived in the UK for 15 years, his father confirmed to US TV network CBS. Teacher James Furlong and one other person also died.

Meanwhile, police continue to question the suspect in Saturday's attack, Khairi Saadallah, who has been arrested under the Terrorism Act.

Sources told the BBC he was originally from Libya and came to the attention of MI5 in 2019.

Two minute's silence was held at 10:00 BST for the three victims.

Robert Ritchie told CBS the family was "heartbroken" and described his son, who was originally from Philadelphia, as "brilliant and loving".

US ambassador to the UK Woody Johnson confirmed that an American citizen was killed and condemned the attack.

He said: "I offer my deepest condolences to the families of those killed. To our great sorrow, this includes an American citizen. Our thoughts are with all those affected."

People were invited to join the silence via Reading Council's Facebook page.

Spoiler

Reading Borough Council leader Jason Brock said the town was "an incredibly strong community" where "people will come together and they won't allow themselves to be divided".

Mr Furlong, 36, was head of history, government and politics at The Holt School in Wokingham.

His parents Gary and Janet described their son as "beautiful, intelligent, honest and fun".

"He was the best son, brother, uncle and partner you could wish for. We are thankful for the memories he gave us all," they said in a statement. "We will never forget him and he will live in our hearts forever."

More than 100 students, some holding hands, gathered at the gates as a bell rang out to mark the start of the silence at the school where Mr Furlong taught, while a flag in the courtyard was lowered to half-mast.

One former pupil, Molly Collins, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme he was a "passionate and enthusiastic" teacher who dedicated extra time to helping students progress.

"I wouldn't have gone to university, I don't think, had I not spoken about it with him. He just really took the time to support me and make me more confident," she said.

Current pupils have also expressed their sadness at the news.

Sophie McEwan wrote on Instagram that Mr Furlong was "an inspirational teacher, [who] genuinely cared for all of us students".

And Emily Mugnier wrote: "Thank you for being an incredible, enthusiastic teacher and lover of life."

Co-head teachers at Mr Furlong's school said he "truly inspired everyone he taught".

Anne Kennedy and Katie Pearce said in a statement: "He was determined that our students would develop a critical awareness of global issues and in doing so, become active citizens and have a voice."

Mr Furlong was one of three people who died in Saturday's attack at Reading's Forbury Gardens, which police were called to at about 19:00 BST.

Witnesses say a lone attacker with a knife shouted "unintelligible words" and stabbed several people who were in a group.

Security guard Sydney McDonald, 65, said he saw the suspect being rugby-tackled to the ground by police and arrested shortly after the incident.

"There was a guy and I saw him pointing to a man and saying 'There he is, there he is'. If he hadn't, they would have missed him. He was running really fast, properly fast.

"They put the emergency brakes on, jumped out of the car and rugby-tackled him to the floor.

"They put the handcuffs on, he wasn't putting up a fight or anything like that, they picked him up and put him in the van, he just sat there all quiet, he wasn't saying nothing."

Three other people suffered serious injuries in the attack, but only one remains in hospital, where his condition is described as stable..

Mr Saadallah, 25, is from Reading and was arrested initially on suspicion of murder. He was later re-arrested on Sunday under Section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000.

Under the Act, police have the power to detain him without charge for up to 14 days.

Police said they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

Sources told BBC's home affairs correspondent Dominic Casciani that Mr Saadallah came to the attention of the security services after they received information he had aspirations to travel abroad - potentially for terrorism-related reasons.

However when the information was further investigated no genuine threat or immediate risk was identified, our correspondent said.

It meant that no case file was opened which would have made him a target for further investigation.

Sir Mark Rowley, a former national lead for counter-terrorism policing, told the BBC that MI5 has 3,000 people under investigation, but there are 40,000 who have "touched the system" at some point.

He said there were many volatile people who become interested in extremist ideology, but the security services faced a problem in identifying which of those would turn into an attacker.

In the last three years 25 terrorism plots in the UK have been disrupted, said Security Minister James Brokenshire.

He said the threat was "complex, diverse" and "rapidly changing" with hundreds of leads in any given week.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-53132493

 

[Amirforpresident]

Foreign policy always causes these nut jobs to commit moments of madness in the hope they will land 72 virgins when their soul wakes up
Libya is a terrorists paradise at the moment with anyone from Russia to France to the Emirates and Turkey backing different parties

Historically speaking libya has always been Italys love affair since before world war one when libya didn't even exist but compromised of different entities which combined to become libya
The senussis and mukhtar are long gone and what remains is a cesspit which makes the nuclear disasters in nagasaki and chernobyl look good


The world needs to wake up and bring normality and stability back to Libya

Would you feel stupid and say that you jumped to conclusions if I told you that it is rumoured that he is an ex-muslim and converted to Christianity?

 

[Local.Dada]

And people here had a problem with Skill based immigration policy proposed by Boris Johnson and Priti Patel.

Too much trash like this comes through if you don’t keep your immigration policy in check.

 

[topspin]

I was in Reading over the weekend to visit my parents. This is so unexpected from a relatively peaceful part of the UK and it's so sad to hear about this coming from a town where I was born and bred.

 

[MenInG]

The third person killed in the Reading stabbings has been named.

David Wails was among the victims of the attack in a public park on Saturday. Joe Ritchie-Bennett and his friend James Furlong also died.

Meanwhile, police continue to question the suspect, Khairi Saadallah, who was arrested shortly after the incident under the Terrorism Act.

Sources told the BBC he was originally from Libya and came to the attention of MI5 in 2019.

A two-minute silence was held at 10:00 BST for the three victims.

Live: Town in shock as tributes paid to victims
Police were called to Reading's Forbury Gardens at about 19:00 BST on Saturday.

Witnesses say a lone attacker with a knife shouted "unintelligible words" and stabbed several people who were in a group.

Friend Michael Main said Mr Wails "always made people smile".

"We'd have a lot of banter... it's sad to know he's gone so early," he added.

 

[MenInG]

The Home Secretary Priti Patel has sent her "heartfelt condolences" to those involved in the Forbury Gardens attack.

Ms Patel told MPs in the Commons: "Police have confirmed that the threat is contained but that sadly three innocent members of the public were killed, murdered by a sudden and savage knife attacker as they enjoyed a summer evening with friends.

"Another three victims were injured and received hospital treatment.

"My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of everyone who was hurt or killed as a result of this sickening attack."

Ms Patel visited Forbury Gardens earlier this morning.

 

[MenInG]

The brother and sister of the main suspect arrested after the Reading terror attack have told Sky News how they were "shocked and surprised" when they heard the news that he is suspected of killing three men on Saturday evening.

Speaking by phone from the Libyan capital Tripoli, Mohammed Saadallah said he last spoke to his brother Khairi the night before the attacks and he said he sounded "sad and alone, maybe depressed".

"Before he left Libya he had a mental condition after the terrible war," he said.

Forensic officers work near Forbury Gardens, in Reading town centre, the scene of a multiple stabbing attack which took place at around 7pm on Saturday leaving three people dead and another three seriously injured.

"He was a helpful person, he likes to help people and he gives the old people a hand.

"He was a volunteer in a charity here in Libya and in the United Kingdom. He likes to wear fashion, Western fashion and take pictures of himself.

"He goes to the park from time to time. He's a normal person that loves life, he loves Western fashion, clothes, loves Western routine, he likes to enjoy the pub, he likes to enjoy pictures, he likes to go to the sea."

Another relative, who did not want to be named but said that she was Khairi's sister, said: "I'm not proud of what happened.

"I'm deeply sorry for the families, the victims, everything you know. And I'm really sorry for Khairi too who has suffered for all this."

She added that her family all believe that "Khairi's a lovely boy who loves life".

She added: "He liked dancing, singing, smoking, drinking, you know. He's a normal person. The family here are surprised.

"Libya is his homeland but the United Kingdom is his country."

Speaking for the wider family, some of whom live in Oxford, Henley and Reading, Khairi's sister said: "They are feeling really sorry. We are feeling really sorry.

"We need to think about the people who died, the victims, the families. We need to think about Khairi as a brother and how this is coming and how this is happening."

https://news.sky.com/story/reading-...airi-saadallah-shocked-and-surprised-12012859

 

[MenInG]

The father of one of the three victims of the knife attack in Reading has described his son as "marvellous, loving and caring" and "like a magnet", bringing people together.

Robert Ritchie, a retired police chief inspector, was speaking to Sky News from the family home in the US city of Philadelphia.

He said of his son Joe Ritchie-Bennett: "Well he was an absolute marvellous individual. Loving, caring person. We described him as almost like a magnet, he just brought people together.

"And everyone who knew him and met him I could truly say became friends with him."

Mr Ritchie-Bennett, 39, was stabbed and killed in a Reading park on Saturday evening in an incident being treated as "terror related".

Mr Ritchie said he and his wife, Charlene, last spoke to their son on Friday night.

"I spoke to him almost every day so I last spoke to him Friday, the day before he was murdered."

"He was fine. He was great. He was telling us his plans for the weekend and he was always excited and enthusiastic about everything that he did," Mr Ritchie said.

Mr Ritchie-Bennett was born and raised in Pennsylvania and after college in Toronto, Canada, he moved to the UK.

"There was a group of them - they were friends and they went to the UK and some of them live in London and Joe wound up in Reading," his father said.

"And he met his partner there, Ian Bennett. And he initially worked for a law firm in London and so he used to commute by train and then about 10 years ago, he started work for a pharmaceutical company whose UK headquarters is in Reading. So that was a real break for him".

Mr Ritchie-Bennett married Ian Bennett in the UK in November 2006. Mr Bennett died, aged 32, in 2014, after a short battle with colon cancer.

Reflecting on trips to Reading to see his son, Mr Ritchie said: "We have been with him in that park, his mother and I. We have been all around Reading and I think it's a lovely place. We always enjoyed visiting over there.

"It was his adopted country. His adopted home. My sense is that he loved it and everything about it. He loved the United States also. He had a great childhood here and still enjoyed many, many friends here in Philadelphia."

As neighbours and friends delivered flowers and food to the family house, Mr Ritchie said: "This has been some of the worst days of my life, you know, hearing that my son was murdered.

"We have had some sleepless nights and you know everything is still to be determined and you know however this will play out and so forth and you know we're gonna bring him back here and bury him here because we want him close by.

"I want to be able to visit his grave for his birthday and Christmas and things like that. That's about what we are left with at this point."

Forensic officers work near Forbury Gardens, in Reading town centre, the scene of a multiple stabbing attack which took place at around 7pm on Saturday leaving three people dead and another three seriously injured.

As the conversation drew to a close, Mr Ritchie said he imagined his son and his husband were together once again.

"They certainly are. I picture them in beach chairs, sipping margaritas looking at the sunset over the Serengeti. They used to love to travel."

https://news.sky.com/story/reading-...a-magnet-who-brought-people-together-12012845

 

[MenInG]

Tributes have been paid to three "true gentlemen" stabbed to death in a park in Reading.

James Furlong, David Wails and Joe Ritchie-Bennett were regular customers at a pub near Forbury Gardens, where Saturday's attack took place.

Local residents held silences and laid flowers around the town for the trio.

Police continue to question suspect Khairi Saadallah, 25, who came to the UK from Libya in 2012. He was arrested under the Terrorism Act.

Mr Saadallah originally claimed asylum and was given leave to remain in 2018, the BBC's Home Affairs correspondent Daniel Sandford said.

He came to the attention of MI5 last year as someone who might travel overseas, possibly for terrorism purposes, but they assessed that he was not a genuine threat or an immediate risk.

A close member of his family told the BBC that he left Libya to escape the violence there, and that he had suffered from post-traumatic stress from the civil war. However, he had been thinking of trying to return.

They said his long-standing mental health problems had been exacerbated by the coronavirus lockdown.

Neighbours said Mr Saadallah threw a TV from his top-floor flat this year and had a mental health key worker.

In a statement, his brother, Aiman Saadallah, said: "I want to express our condolences to the families of the victims that have died and wish a speedy recovery for all those injured."

The head of counter terrorism policing, Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu, said he was proud of those who assisted the victims of Saturday's attack, describing them as "heroes" who have inspired others to "step forward and play our part".

On Monday, mourners gathered for a one-minute silence outside the Blagrave Arms pub in Reading town centre, where Somewhere Over The Rainbow was played. A tribute on the door said management and staff were "devastated".

"Our friends were the kindest, most genuine, and most loveliest people in our community that we had the the pleasure of knowing," the note said.

Jamie Wake, a friend of the victims, called the pub a "safe space" for members of the LGBT+ community.

"We become so used to seeing incidents like this on the television," he said.

"This time, we cannot change the channel. This time, it's on our doorstep."

Police were called to Reading's Forbury Gardens at about 19:00 BST on Saturday.

Witnesses say a lone attacker with a knife shouted "unintelligible words" and stabbed several people who were in a group.

Three other people who were injured in the attack have since been discharged from hospital, police said.

Martin Cooper, a friend of the three men who were killed and the chief executive of LGBT+ charity Reading Pride, described them as "true gentlemen".

"They were a support network for individuals, and I know they will be sorely missed by many," he said.

Mr Wails, a 49-year-old scientist, was the last victim to be named.

Friend Michael Main said he "always made people smile".

"We'd have a lot of banter... it's sad to know he's gone so early," he added.

Mr Main, who knew all three of the victims, told the BBC he was "proud to call them my friends".

"They're all just amazing, caring and beautiful men," he added.

Mr Ritchie-Bennett, 39, was originally from Philadelphia but had lived in the UK for 15 years, his father confirmed to US TV network CBS.

Robert Ritchie said his family was "heartbroken" and described his son as "brilliant and loving".

BBC Radio Berkshire presenter Sarah Walker said Mr Ritchie-Bennett had been married to her close friend, Ian, who died from cancer nearly six years ago.

She described him as a "fantastic human being" who was "outrageously funny".

"He was one of those unique people who on one hand could make you properly belly laugh, but, at the same time, he could show you such extraordinary kindness," she said.

Mr Furlong, 36, was a teacher and head of history, government and politics at The Holt School in Wokingham.

His parents Gary and Janet described their son as "beautiful, intelligent, honest and fun".

One of Mr Furlong's former pupils, Molly Collins, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme he was a "passionate and enthusiastic" teacher who dedicated extra time to helping students progress.

More than 100 students, some holding hands, gathered at the gates of The Holt School for a two-minute silence on Monday morning, while a flag in the courtyard was lowered to half-mast.

In an open letter, former pupils and parents have asked for the school's humanities block to be renamed in Mr Furlong's memory.

Jackie James, a former landlady of another pub in Reading and a friend of Mr Ritchie-Bennett and Mr Furlong, said they were "shining examples of all that is good in this world".

The suspect, Mr Saadallah, was initially arrested on suspicion of murder. He was later re-arrested on Sunday under Section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000.

Under the Act, police have the power to detain him without charge for up to 14 days.

Counter terror police, who are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident, have said they are "keeping an open mind as to the motive for this attack".

They are continuing to appeal for information - and asked any drivers with relevant dashcam footage to come forward.

After visiting Reading to lay flowers on Monday morning, Home Secretary Priti Patel told MPs the threat posed by lone attackers was "growing".

She thanked those who responded to the incident, including student police officers - noting that a "young, unarmed" officer "took down the suspect without hesitation" while another carried out first aid.

"They showed courage, bravery and selflessness way beyond their years," she said.

Shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds said it was "heartbreaking that we are having this conversation again so soon" after attacks at Fishmongers' Hall near London Bridge in November and in Streatham in February - adding that the public "will want answers".

He previously said that with the Ministry of Justice's budget having been cut by 40% over 10 years, the government needed to reconsider the resources available for de-radicalisation programmes in prisons, as well as monitoring, supervision and risk assessment of released prisoners.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-53142464

 

[chacha kashmiri]

Would you feel stupid and say that you jumped to conclusions if I told you that it is rumoured that he is an ex-muslim and converted to Christianity?

Next you're going to say salman abedin had also converted

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Next you're going to say salman abedin had also converted

Apparently this fellow not only converted, he also had a tattoo of a cross put on his body. There also appears to be some reports that he was mentally ill. Are you suggesting that it was all an elaborate ruse to cover his real motives?

 

[chacha kashmiri]

Apparently this fellow not only converted, he also had a tattoo of a cross put on his body. There also appears to be some reports that he was mentally ill. Are you suggesting that it was all an elaborate ruse to cover his real motives?

A weirdo who doesn't like Libya because he can't socialise there stabs two lgbts including Ritchie bennet, a philadelphian pharmaceutical worker
Case closed I would have though
Not as complicated as the joe bennett ramsey case

 

[Amirforpresident]

Next you're going to say salman abedin had also converted

You didnt answer my question

 

[MenInG]

The three victims of the suspected terrorist attack in Reading each died of a single stab wound, police say.

Counter Terrorism Policing South East confirmed the post-mortem results for David Wails, 49; Joseph Ritchie-Bennett, 39, and James Furlong, 36, who were killed in Forbury Gardens on Saturday.

Three other victims who were stabbed have been discharged from hospital.

Suspected attacker Khairi Saadallah, 25, remains in custody.

It is understood he was briefly on the radar of MI5 last year, but there was not enough concern to launch a full investigation.

He was released from prison earlier this month after being convicted of non-terror offences.

Saadallah, from Libya, was tackled to the ground by an unarmed police officer close to the scene and arrested on suspicion of murder.

He was later re-arrested under Section 41 of the Terrorism Act, which allows him to be held without charge for up to 14 days. Officers have a warrant to hold him until Saturday.

No one else is being sought in connection with the attack, police have said.

Earlier this week, loved ones gathered in the town to mourn the deaths of history teacher Mr Furlong; Mr Ritchie-Bennett - originally from Philadelphia in the US, and Mr Wails.

Flowers in the shape of a heart and candles were left outside the Blagrave Arms pub.

https://news.sky.com/story/reading-...d-of-a-single-stab-wound-post-mortem-12015484

 

[chacha kashmiri]

You didnt answer my question

A Christian revert killing the lgbt community
There was alot more controversy over reynard singa who was a homosexual

 

[The Viper]

Man charged over Reading stabbings

Khairi Saadallah, 25, charged with three counts of murder after stabbings in Reading last Saturday

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-53206550

 

[MenInG]

A Libyan refugee, who killed three men in a terrorist knife attack in a Reading park, has pleaded guilty to murder.

Khairi Saadallah, 26, launched a two-minute stabbing spree on a group of friends in Forbury Gardens, Reading, shortly before 7pm on Saturday June 20.

Witnesses reported hearing him shout "Allahu Akbar" [god is great] as he chased two men in the Berkshire park, before turning his attention to a group of five friends sitting nearby.

He was due to face trial next month for the murder of James Furlong, 36, Joseph Ritchie-Bennett, 39, and David Wails, 49 and the attempted murder of three others: Stephen Young, Patrick Edwards and Nishit Nisudan.

But at a hearing on Wednesday, Saadallah, of Basingstoke Road, Reading, pleaded guilty to the charges.

Prosecutors say Saadallah acted "without warning or provocation" and attacked his victims "in rapid succession" causing "catastrophic and fatal" injuries.

History teacher Mr Furlong and Mr Ritchie-Bennett, a US citizen, were each stabbed once in the neck while scientist Mr Wails was stabbed once in the back. All three were declared dead at the scene.

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Police discovered that Saadallah had bought a large kitchen knife and a pair of gloves in Morrisons supermarket in Reading the day before the attack.

He appeared at the Old Bailey wearing a red and white beany hat and a grey jacket. His voice appeared muffled as he spoke while wearing a face mask.

Members of the victims' families sat in court for the hearing before Mr Justice Sweeney.

Saadallah, who was born in Tripoli, Libya, had been living in the UK since 2012.

He was granted asylum in 2018 on the basis that he had been involved with groups fighting in the Libyan civil war.

He had previous convictions for offences of violence, criminal damage and possession of bladed articles, committed between June 2014 and August 2019.

He was briefly on the radar of the security service MI5 in 2019 over concerns he may have had aspirations to travel abroad, potentially for terrorist purposes.

However, security sources said he was quickly assessed but no genuine threat or immediate risk was discovered.

After the attack, he was assessed for mental health issues but was found fit to stand trial.

Khairi Saadallah will be sentenced next month, once the judge has had time to consider background reports.

https://news.sky.com/story/reading-terror-attacker-pleads-guilty-to-three-murders-12130097

 

[MenInG]

A terrorist who stabbed three people to death in a park in Reading - because he believed the pandemic heralded the end of the world - has been handed a whole life sentence.

Khairi Saadallah, a Libyan refugee, pleaded guilty to three counts of murder after killing James Furlong, David Wails and Joseph Ritchie-Bennett in Forbury Gardens on 20 June last year.

Saadallah "executed" each man with a single knife blow to the back of the head in the space of less than 30 seconds, the Old Bailey heard.

The 26-year-old also pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of Stephen Young, Patrick Edwards and Nishit Nisudan, who were injured in the attack.