U.K. Police: Stabbing in the Park, Three Dead, One American: It is a Terror Attack
A knife wielding Killer began randomly stabbing men in Forbury Gardens Reading Park, killing three, one an American. Initial guesses were that The attack was racially motivated because of recent violent demonstrations in the United Kingdom but the local And U.K. Counter terror police have classified it as a terrorist attack.
“It has now been confirmed that the stabbing incident that occurred in Reading last night (20 June 20), has been declared a terrorist incident.” Counter Terrorism Police confirmed in a tweet.
One witness said the attacker pulled a knife and ‘shouted some unintelligible words’ before trying to stab people in the packed park, which was said to be filled with families and young children at the time. The witness said he saw the attacker stab three men ‘in the neck and under the arms’ before turning around and running at others, the Daily Mail reported.
An unarmed police officer tackled the 25 year old suspect to the ground, ending his killing spree. Khairi Saadallah is in custody according to local police while an investigation is ongoing.
“ We continue to work alongside key security partners such as MI5 to tackle the RWT threat” Counterterrorism police tweeted.
American Joe Ritchie-Bennett, popular teacher James Furlong and Mr Wails were killed on Saturday in Forbury Gardens, the Telegraph reported.
Local Council issued a statement:
Following the attack in Reading last night (20 June), the leader of the council, James Swindlehurst and chief executive, Josie Wragg, have released a statement on behalf of Slough Borough Council.
“We, along with our residents, stand with the country today in condemning the horrendous attack in Reading.
“This was a cold-blooded murder of innocent people enjoying a sunny evening in a local park; something which has become more important than ever as we come out of lockdown.
“There is no justification, no explanation that excuses such horror.
“Reading is our neighbour, our friend and we have reached out to our colleagues there and offered to help in any way we can as they lead their communities – so reflective of all Slough’s communities – through this tragedy.
“The stories of heroic actions by police and those who gave first aid to victims on the scene without thought to their own safety show us the inherent good of people and we urge Slough’s communities to stand together, united against those who try to divide us, celebrating our diversity and tolerance, rejecting extremism and hate.”