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Community mourns three friends killed in horrifying park 'terror attack'

Three friends have been named as the victims of a suspected terrorist attack in a park in Reading, southern England.

Joe Ritchie-Bennett, 39, originally from Philadelphia in Pennsylvania, history teacher James Furlong, 36 and David Wails were killed in the knife attack on Saturday night.

A heart-shaped floral tribute to the three men could be seen outside The Blagrave Arms pub in Reading on Monday afternoon, alongside candles and a note from the staff.

Joe Ritchie-Bennett, 39, James Furlong, 36 and David Wails are pictured.
Joe Ritchie-Bennett, 39, James Furlong, 36 and David Wails have been named as the victims of a stabbing attack in England. Source: Facebook

"The Blagrave Arms management and staff are devastated at the announcement that the three people who died in the Forbury Gardens attack on Saturday were regular customers and very dear friends of ours," it read.

"Our hearts go out to their family and friends, and the other victims of this horrific incident."

A message among the flowers paid tribute to the three.

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

Mr Ritchie-Bennett and Mr Furlong had been strong supporters of the LGBT+ community, the chief executive of charity Reading Pride said.

"They will be sorely missed by myself personally and many in the community," Martin Cooper said.

Police forensics officers dressed in Tyvek protective PPE (personal protective equipment) suits and wearing masks, conduct a search of a drain near to Forbury Gardens park in Reading.
Police forensics officers search a drain near to Forbury Gardens park in Reading. Source: Getty Images

The 25-year-old suspect is understood to be Khairi Saadallah, a refugee of the civil war in Libya who briefly came to the attention of MI5 last year.

Saadallah, who is thought to have been released from prison earlier this month, was tackled to the ground by an unarmed police officer close to the scene.

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

Britain's Home Secretary Priti Patel told parliament it was clear the threat posed by lone actors was growing.

Students and parents lay flowers and pay their respects to the murdered school teacher James Furlong outside The Holt School in Wokingham, England.
Flowers outside The Holt School for Mr Furlong who taught there. Source: Getty Images

A two-minute silence attended by more than 100 students was held at the Holt School in Wokingham on Monday morning in memory of Mr Furlong, who pupils said was "always smiling".

"He was just a really kind teacher," Ella Banbury, 17, said.

Three people injured in the attack were treated in hospital, and all three were discharged by Monday evening.

Britain's PA news agency understands from security sources that MI5 received intelligence claiming Saadallah planned to travel abroad, possibly for terrorism purposes.

However, the threat was found to be insubstantial and the information provided did not meet the threshold of investigation.

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