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Reading attack: Khairi Saadallah charged with three counts of murder Reading attack: Khairi Saadallah charged with three counts of murder
(about 1 hour later)
Saadallah, 25, will appear at Westminster magistrates court on MondaySaadallah, 25, will appear at Westminster magistrates court on Monday
Khairi Saadallah, 25, has been charged with three counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder after three men died and several others were injured in a knife attack in Reading on 20 June, Counter Terrorism Policing South East has said.Khairi Saadallah, 25, has been charged with three counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder after three men died and several others were injured in a knife attack in Reading on 20 June, Counter Terrorism Policing South East has said.
Three people died at the scene in Forbury Gardens and a further three people were taken to hospital. They have all since been discharged.Three people died at the scene in Forbury Gardens and a further three people were taken to hospital. They have all since been discharged.
Saadallah, of Basingstoke Road, Reading is due to appear at Westminster magistrates court on Monday 29 June.Saadallah, of Basingstoke Road, Reading is due to appear at Westminster magistrates court on Monday 29 June.
The charges came as the family of one of the three men killed in the attack knife praised police for their “remarkable bravery”, before a vigil in memory of the victims. NEWThe charges came ahead of a vigil held in memory of the victims one week on, at which the mayor of Reading said the town’s community will “not be divided” by the recent attack.
James Furlong, 36, and his friends David Wails and Joseph Ritchie-Bennett died after the incident in the Berkshire town’s Forbury Gardens shortly before 7pm on 20 June. Cllr David Stevens said the Berkshire town would always be “inclusive and diverse” at a private memorial event held in Market Place on Saturday evening.
Furlong’s family released a tribute on Saturday thanking those who had rushed to help the three men in the aftermath of the attack. David Wails, 49, Joseph Ritchie-Bennett, 39, and James Furlong, 36, lost their lives after the incident in Forbury Gardens that took place shortly before 7pm on 20 June.
Reading borough council is to hold a vigil at 7pm in memory of the friends, marking a week since the deadly attack. Following short speeches by local officials, family members of the three men were the first to light candles in their memory.
Furlong’s family said: “We would like to start by thanking the police for their ongoing help, including their remarkable bravery. They have been a pillar of support. The home secretary, Priti Patel, joined a host of representatives from the Reading community in also lighting candles.
“Equally, we would like to express our gratitude to the emergency services, members of the public and the wider Reading community, who did all they could to help and save the lives of those who had been injured that night.” Cllr Stevens told the vigil that the attack had left Reading “feeling a mix of horror, disbelief and immense sadness”.
The statement added: “To James’ colleagues and pupils at the Holt School: he spoke often of how much he loved where he worked and his passion for developing the students. He cared so much and was very proud of each and every one of you. He added: “Just one week ago, friends and families were sat in Forbury Gardens, just a few yards from here, making the most of the warm weather on a summer’s evening and enjoying one another’s company.
“James was passionate about creating a more loving and caring society. His time with us was cut far too short but the impact he made will live on, long long into the future. His family, his friends and those who have met him – he made us all a better person. “It was around now, the happiness and tranquillity of the evening was shattered in the cruellest and most horrific way.
“We are so proud of him. James was, and always will be, so very much loved by us all.” “Three men lost their lives and several people sustained injuries. Others were forced to witness the most horrendous scenes.
The family of Ritchie-Bennett also released a statement, telling of their “deep sorrow”. “Last Saturday, Reading lost James Furlong, Joe Ritchie-Bennett and David Wails. To their families and close friends, we can only imagine your grief.”
The statement said: “We LOVED Joe so much and we are in such deep sorrow. We need all the prayers for Joe and the Ritchie-Bennett families.” Around 50 people invited to the vigil stood in front of their socially distanced chairs for much of the half hour long event.
On Friday, police confirmed that postmortem examinations showed each man died from single stab wounds. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Reading borough council was due to stream the event on its Facebook page to avoid a crowd gathering in Market Place.
Saturday night’s vigil, which will be streamed on the council’s Facebook page, will include the lighting of a remembrance candle and messages from the community read by the mayor of Reading. People are asked to light a candle on their doorsteps or have a light in their windows as part of the vigil. The council is holding the event online due to physical distancing requirements and the restrictions on gatherings in public. But a large screen was also erected on nearby Broad Street for residents to watch proceedings.
Reading borough council reassured those affected by the attack that it will hold in-person remembrance events in the future when physical distancing allows. The council also opened an online book of condolence for people to pay tributes to the three men. Thames Valley police chief constable, John Campbell, gave his force’s condolences to the families of the victims.
The council leader, Jason Brock, said: “There is an overwhelming sense of grief within the Reading community about last Saturday’s tragic events. The council and public are united in their desire to mourn the victims and appropriately remember them. He told them that Wails, Ritchie-Bennett and Furlong had been “cared for and comforted by my officers and others who came to help them in in their final moments”.
“We are encouraging people to pay their respects with us online on Saturday evening, and also to mourn and contribute via the book of condolence and supporting the #ReadingTogether fund.” Campbell said Reading should take “pride” in how it has responded, which highlighted a “coming together of a diverse community, joined by the bond of humanity and a shared sense of injustice”.
The chief constable of Thames Valley police, John Campbell, said: “In times of such tragedy, we often see the best of our communities and that has certainly been the case in Reading. I know it will take time for everyone to heal but we stand alongside you and will do all that we can to support you, as your police.” Before the lighting of candles, the Bishop of Reading, The Right Reverend Olivia Graham, read a poem by Irish poet John O’Donohue.
Among those also lighting candles were the co-headteachers of the Holt School where Furlong taught.
The business secretary, Alok Sharma, who is MP for the Reading West constituency, and Matt Rodda, MP for Reading East, also lit candles.