This archive report was first published on 21 June 2020.
Deadly Stabbing Spree Declared Terrorism in Reading, England ¶
On June 20, 2020, a lone assailant carried out a deadly stabbing spree in Reading, England, leaving three people dead and three seriously injured.
According to Thames Valley police, the attack occurred in Forbury Gardens, a picturesque park situated next to the ruins of the 12th-century Reading Abbey.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson condemned the attack, calling it 'appalling and sickening.'
Home Secretary Priti Patel described the incident as 'a senseless attack on people enjoying a Saturday evening with friends.'
Counter-terror police chief Neil Basu declared the incident a terrorism incident, stating that although the motivation for the attack is far from certain, Counter Terrorism Policing South East has taken on responsibility for leading the investigation.
Witnesses reported seeing a lone assailant walking through the park, shouting unintelligible words, and stabbing people at random.
One witness described the scene as 'horrific and dreadful.'
Paramedic teams were seen trying to resuscitate the injured as they lay unresponsive on the ground.
Two people were being treated in the emergency department of Reading's Berkshire Hospital.
Britain's terror alert level was kept at 'substantial,' with no specific intelligence to suggest anyone else attending crowded places is at risk.
Britain has witnessed two terror-related attacks in the past year, including a stabbing attack in London in November and a stabbing attack in London in February.
