Flowers stand placed outside the Blagrave Arms pub near the scene of a fatal multiple stabbing attack in Forbury Gardens park, in Reading, England, Tuesday, June 23, 2020. The English town of Reading is mourning for three people stabbed to death on Saturday in what is being treated as a terror attack. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
The Associated Press
LONDON (AP) - The families of the three victims of a stabbing rampage in a English park paid tribute to their loved ones Tuesday, saying how their hearts have been broken at losing them in what is being treated as a terror attack.
Police named the dead as teacher James Furlong, 36; scientist David Wails, 49; and pharmaceutical worker Joseph Ritchie-Bennett, 39. The three friends were enjoying a warm Saturday evening when they were attacked at Forbury Gardens park in Reading, a town of 200,000 people some 40 miles (64 kilometers) west of London. A 25-year-old suspect is in custody but officials say the motive for the carnage is unclear.
Martin Cooper, the head of LGBT organization Reading Pride, sad the victims were 'œtrue gentlemen'ť and stalwart supporters of he community.
In statements released by police, the men's families each offered a reckoning of their grief.
Wails' parents described him as a much-loved son, brother and uncle who never hurt anyone in his life.
'œWe are broken-hearted at losing him and in such a terrible way,'' they said. 'œWe will treasure our wonderful memories of him and he will always be with us in our hearts."
Furlong's parents said 'œJames was a wonderful man. He was beautiful, intelligent, honest and fun.'ť
'œHe was the best son, brother, uncle and partner you could wish for. We are thankful for the memories he gave us all," they said. We will never forget him and he will live in our hearts forever.'ť
The tributes came just a day after people in Reading gathered for a moment of silence. More than 100 students lit candles and laid flowers in memory of Furlong, a history teacher in the nearby town of Wokingham
The family of Ritchie-Bennett, who was originally from Philadelphia, also expressed their sadness.
'œI was absolutely blessed and proud to be Joe's father for 39 years and we are heartbroken by what has happened,'ť his father said.
Lifelong friend Danielle Gayda said Ritchie-Bennett lit up any room he entered and was 'œunapologetically himself.'ť
'œHe came in the room and everybody was like, '~Oh, it's Joe Ritchie. Joe Ritchie's here.' Everybody was always excited to see him,'ť said Gayda, who grew up with him in Philadelphia.
She said Ritchie-Bennett came from a family of city police officers, but followed his own path, first to Canada, where he studied for a time, and later to England, where he married Ian Bennett of Reading in about 2006.
His husband died of cancer in 2014, but Ritchie-Bennett stayed in Reading and remained close to his in-laws there.
'œJoe was with him through everything,'ť Gayda said. 'œWe all thought that Ian was taken from us much too soon. They had a lot left to their story. And now with Joe being gone '¦ they're together again, but we're just very sad that both of them are not here with us.'ť
Police have not identified the suspect, but Britain's national news agency, Press Association, and other media outlets named the alleged attacker as Khairi Saadallah, a Libyan asylum-seeker living in Reading.
Three other people were wounded in the attack. They have all been released from hospitals.
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Associated Press Writer Maryclaire Dale in Philadelphia contributed to this story.
This combination photo made up from family photo issued by Thames Valley Police on Tuesday June 23, 2020, shows from left, Joe Ritchie-Bennett, James Furlong and David Wails, as the three victims of the Reading attack. The English town of Reading mourned Monday for three people stabbed to death as they sat in a park in what is being treated as a terror attack, as police questioned the alleged lone attacker. (Thames Valley Police via AP)
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This family photo issued by Thames Valley Police on Tuesday June 23, 2020 shows David Wails. David Wails has been named as one of three victims of the Reading attack. The English town of Reading mourned Monday for three people stabbed to death as they sat in a park in what is being treated as a terror attack, as police questioned the alleged lone attacker. (Thames Valley Police via AP)
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This family photo issued by Thames Valley Police on Tuesday June 23, 2020 shows Joe Ritchie-Bennett. Joe Ritchie-Bennett, 39, has been named by his family in Philadelphia as one of three victims of the Reading attack. The English town of Reading mourned Monday for three people stabbed to death as they sat in a park in what is being treated as a terror attack, as police questioned the alleged lone attacker. (Thames Valley Police via AP)
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People place flowers by a police cordon near the scene of a fatal multiple stabbing attack at the Forbury Gardens park, in Reading, England, Tuesday, June 23, 2020. The English town of Reading is mourning for three people stabbed to death on Saturday in what is being treated as a terror attack. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
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A police forensic officer works near the scene of a fatal multiple stabbing attack in Forbury Gardens park, Reading, England, Tuesday, June 23, 2020. The English town of Reading is mourning for three people stabbed to death on Saturday in what is being treated as a terror attack. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
The Associated Press
A written tribute lies with flowers placed beside a police cordon near the scene of a fatal multiple stabbing attack at the Forbury Gardens park, in Reading, England, Tuesday, June 23, 2020. The English town of Reading is mourning for three people stabbed to death on Saturday in what is being treated as a terror attack. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
The Associated Press
Police forensic officers work near the scene of a fatal multiple stabbing attack in Forbury Gardens, central Reading, England, Monday June 22, 2020. The English town of Reading is mourning for three people stabbed to death on Saturday in what is being treated as a terror attack. Residents gathered for a moment of silence Monday as police questioned the suspected lone wolf attacker. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
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Colleagues and pupils of teacher James Furlong stand together to take part in a period of silence at the Holt School, in Wokingham, England, in memory of teacher James Furlong, a victim of a terror attack in nearby Reading, Monday June 22, 2020. A lone terror suspect remains in custody accused of killing three people and wounding three others in a Reading park on Saturday night. (Steve Parsons/PA via AP)
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Colleagues and pupils of teacher James Furlong stand together to take part in a period of silence at the Holt School, in Wokingham, England, in memory of teacher James Furlong, a victim of a terror attack in nearby Reading, Monday June 22, 2020. A lone terror suspect remains in custody accused of killing three people and wounding three others in a Reading park on Saturday night. (Steve Parsons/PA via AP)
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Police forensic officers search near the scene of a fatal multiple stabbing attack in Forbury Gardens, central Reading, England, Monday June 22, 2020. A lone terror suspect remains in custody accused of killing three people and wounding three others in a Reading park on Saturday night. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
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A mourner is comforted by a police officer as flower tributes are placed at the entrance to Holt School in Wokingham, England, in memory of teacher James Furlong, a victim of a terror attack in nearby Reading, Monday June 22, 2020. A lone terror suspect remains in custody accused of killing three people and wounding three others in a Reading park on Saturday night. (Steve Parsons/PA via AP)
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Police officers stand outside a building where a flat was being searched after a fatal multiple stabbing attack in Forbury Gardens park, in Reading, England, Tuesday, June 23, 2020. The English town of Reading is mourning for three people stabbed to death on Saturday in what is being treated as a terror attack. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
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