STABBING SUSPECT
Reading stabbing suspect Khairi Sadallah – what we know so far as first victim James Furlong is identified
A MAN has been arrested after a mass stabbing at a Reading park in which three people were killed.
Khairi Saadallah, 25, originally from Libya, is accused of carrying out a random knife attack in Forbury Gardens in the town's centre shortly after 7pm yesterday.
Three people died following the attack and three were hospitalised with serious injuries - though two have since been discharged.
One of the victims has been named as James Furlong, head of history at the Holt Community School in Wokingham.
The school where Mr Furlong worked paid tribute to him, saying he was a "kind and gentle man" with a "real sense of duty".
The suspect was detained and arrested at the scene.
Thames Valley Police have this morning said the incident is being investigated as an act of terror.
Saadallah arrived in the UK in 2012 as a tourist before claiming asylum on the grounds that his life was being threatened by Islamists in Libya, the reported.
He has at least one previous conviction for a "minor violent offence", reported, and he is thought to have spent at least 12 months in jail.
He was being supervised by the National Probation Service, the reported, and court reports suggest a number of additional convictions for a man of the same name, age, and address.
No further details of a possible motive have been released, but mental health is being considered as a major factor, a source told PA.
None of the suspect’s previous convictions are believed to be terror-related, but security sources have told the he came to the attention of MI5 in 2019.
A neighbour of Saadallah's, who gave his named only as Adam, told the Sun that Saadallah had been "in and out of prison".
“A few months ago he threw his TV off the balcony and started smashing up his flat," he said.
"Police were called and he was recalled to prison. He only got out about three weeks ago."
What we know about Khairi Saadallah so far
Khairi Saadallah is accused of carrying out a random knife attack in Forbury Gardens in Reading's town centre shortly after 7pm yesterday. He was detained and arrested at the scene.
This is what we know about him so far:
- He is 25 years old and originally from Libya
- Saadallah arrived in the UK in 2012 as a tourist before claiming asylum on the grounds that his life was being threatened by Islamists in Libya
- He has at least one previous conviction for a "minor violent offence"
- Saadallah is thought to have spent at least 12 months in jail
- He was being supervised by the National Probation Service
- Security sources have said he was known to MI5
A distressing video on social media has shown four people on the floor, surrounded by witnesses and officers.
In the video, officers were seen giving CPR to the victims who were covered in blood.
One person can be heard shouting: "He's still breathing", while another, presumably a medic, is asking for a defibrillator.
Authorities have urged people not to share the shocking footage on social media, but contact police instead.
At least two people are being treated for knife wounds in hospital.
One eyewitness, who said he was around 10 metres from the scene, said the attack looked "completely random".
Lawrence Wort, 20, a personal trainer from Chippenham, 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."
Dan, 26, told he saw blood spurting and victims dropping "like a weight" as a man appeared to be "tapping them on the head".
He said: "I thought they were playing duck duck goose and thought someone had been sick, we realised it was blood spraying out."
The knifeman "shouted some unintelligible words," according to another witness, before stabbing his victims in the neck and under their arms.
A hero police officer also reportedly spotted the suspect running away with a knife and "rugby tackled him to the ground."
Thames Valley Police said: "Police attended at around 7pm along with other emergency services.
"Officers arrested a man at the scene who is now in police custody.
"A number of people sustained injuries and were taken to hospital.
"A police cordon is in place in Forbury Gardens as officers investigate. We are asking the public to avoid the area at this time."
South Central Ambulance Service said five ambulance crews as well as two air ambulance services were among the resources sent to treat the casualties.
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."
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."
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the stabbing was "very concerning".
Earlier today a Black Lives Matter protest was held in the park with the Forbury Gardens bandstand used to deliver speeches.
Thames Valley Police said: "There is no indication that this incident is linked to the Black Lives Matter protest that took place in Reading today."
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."
An eyewitness 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."
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