Family and friends to attend Reading terror memorial service
The service will also be livestreamed on Reading Council’s Facebook page
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A memorial service will be held on Sunday to commemorate one year since three men were killed in a terror attack in Reading.
Family, friends and community leaders will join the service in remembrance of James Furlong, a history teacher, 36, Dr David Wails, a scientist, 49, and Joseph Ritchie-Bennett, who worked for a pharmaceutical company, 39.
The three friends had been enjoying an evening together in Forbury Gardens as lockdown restrictions began to ease when they were attacked on 20 June 2020.
The attacker was 26-year-old failed asylum seeker Khairi Saadallah, from Libya, who attacked and killed the three men as well as injuring three others with an eight-inch knife.
Stephen Young, 51, Patrick Edwards, 29, and Nishit Nisudan, 34 were all injured by Saadallah before he threw away the knife and ran away, pursued by an off-duty police officer, who happened to be at the scene.
In January 2021, Saadallah was given a whole-life sentence for his actions having pleaded guilty to three murders and three attempted murders.
The victims’ loved ones, as well as members of the emergency services who responded on the day and representatives from Reading’s community have been invited to attend Sunday’s memorial service.
Proceedings will be led by Cllr David Stevens, Mayor of Reading and will be livestreamed on Reading Council’s Facebook page, so that members of the public can follow. Floral tributes will also be placed at the Forbury Bandstand in remembrance of the victims.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments