Reading terror attack: First victim named as security sources say Khairi Saadallah may have wanted to join Islamist group abroad
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Three people have died and another three lie injured after being stabbed by a knife-wielding assailant in a park in Reading on Saturday evening, Thames Valley Police have confirmed.
The attack took place at around 7pm in Forbury Gardens in the town centre, with police subsequently arresting 25-year-old Libyan national Khairi Saadallah at the scene on suspicion of murder. They now say the are investigating the matter as terror-related, with security sources telling The Independent that he may have tried to travel abroad to join an Islamist group.
“Kind and gentle” teacher James Furlong was named by The Holt School as one of those killed. In response to the “appalling” incident, prime minister Boris Johnson has said that “if there are changes that need to be made to our legal system to stop such events happening again, we will not hesitate to take that action”.
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Reading councillors 'shocked & appalled' by attack
Here are the latest statements from local officals:
Nothing to suggest multiple attackers, counter-terror chief says
The head of counter terrorism policing, Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu has given a statement on the attacks.
"From our enquiries undertaken so far, officers have found nothing to suggest that there was anyone else involved in this attack, and presently we are not looking for anyone else in relation to the incident," he said.
He added: "The pandemic has made very strange territory of our familiar places and I appreciate the concern this attack will obviously cause. But let me be clear, there is no specific intelligence to suggest anyone attended crowded places is at risk."
He praised the actions of Thames Valley Police officers who responded immediately, detaining the attacker "unarmed and incredibly brave", and members of the public who provided emergency first aid to victims.
Counter-terrorism officers also arrived "immediately", Mr Basu said, adding: "They have worked through the night closely with Thames Valley Police."
He said: "Although the motivation for this horrific act is far from certain, counter terrorism policing have taken responsibility for leading the investigation.
"However, we are clear that it was not associated in any way with a Black Lives Matter protest, which took place peacefully earlier on in the day and which had concluded some hours before this attack took place."
Mr Basu said 41 witnesses have come forward so far, as he urges others to contact police, particularly if they have footage of the incident.
Libyan national Khairi Saadallah named as suspect
The suspect arrested over a terror attack that left three victims dead in Reading is a Libyan national called Khairi Saadallah, The Independent understands.
Saadallah, 25, has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody being questioned over the incident, our home affairs correspondent Lizzie Dearden reports.
Police are understood to be investigating mental health issues in connection with the attack.
Boris Johnson 'appalled and sickened' by attack
"I'm appalled and sickened that people should lose their lives in this way and our thoughts are very much with the family and the friends of the victims today," the prime minister said in a Downing Street interview.
"I've obviously talked to the chief constable at Thames Valley Police, thanked him and his officers for their bravery in tackling the suspect.
"We now have someone in custody. The police must get on with their job, get to the bottom of exactly what happened, and so it would be difficult really to comment in detail.
"Except to say this, if there are lessons 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 where necessary."
Patient discharged from hospital and another in stable condition
One of the patients admitted to Royal Berkshire Hospital after the stabbings has been discharged.
Another remains in a stable condition under observation, a spokesperson told the PA.
Here are the mayor of Reading, David Stevens' latest statements on the incident.
A minute's silence is to be held tomorrow at 10am, behind closed doors due to social distancing.
Three people were killed and a further three victims seriously injured, making it the deadliest terrorist incident to strike Britain since the June 2017 London Bridge attack, our security correspondent Lizzie Dearden reports.
It is the fourth suspected terrorist knife attack in six months, following the stabbings at Fishmongers' Hall in November, HMP Whitemoor prison in January and Streatham in February.
Home secretary Priti Patel has tweeted: "My thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of those who sadly died during the tragic attack in Reading.
"I am in regular contact with police & security services who continue with their investigations. My thanks once again goes to our amazing emergency service workers."
'I'm still messaging people, making sure everyone's okay'
A group of three friends leaving flowers outside the Reading park told reporters they did not know any victims personally but wanted to show support, saying either they or their friends could have been attacked.
Tom, 20, who has always lived in Reading, told the PA: "I've spent a lot of time in that park. For me personally it feels like an attack on our area."
Kathryn Cooper, 29, who also laid flowers near the park although she did not know the victims, said: "We've all grown up here. I've been in there throughout my whole life. I don't think I'll be able to go in there for a while.
"I'm still messaging people, making sure everyone's okay. I've put some flowers down as I've lived here my whole life."