Third victim of Reading knife attack named as David Wails

The third victim of the Reading knife attack on Saturday has been named as David Wails.

Mr Wails was a senior scientist at a global chemicals company and a friend of the other two victims.

Joe Ritchie-Bennett and school teacher James Furlong were also confirmed to have died in the attack.

Three others were injured in the attack, which ended when a police officer tackled the alleged perpetrator to the ground.

One injured person remains in hospital in a stable condition.

A suspect, who is understood to be Khairi Saadallah, is currently in police custody.

Joe Ritchie-Bennett was one of three men killed in the attack.

Mr Ritchie-Bennett had moved from the UK to the US around 15 years ago.

His brother, Robert Ritchie, a captain in the Philadelphia police force, told the Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper : “We used to play together every day. We rode bikes together every day.

"Our family is heartbroken and beside ourselves.

"He did not deserve to go out like this.”

Mr Ritchie-Bennett’s father, also called Robert, said: “I absolutely love my son with all of my heart and all of my soul.”

James Furlong was the first victim to be named. Credit:

School teacher James Furlong was the first victim named in the attack.

A two-minute silence was held at 10am on Monday for the victims and their families, while flags on civic buildings in the town will be flown at half-mast for the rest of the week.

Outside The Holt School in Wokingham, where Mr Furlong worked, pupils and staff held a two minute silence and lay flowers in memory of the former head of history.

More than 100 students, some holding hands, gathered at the school’s gates as a bell rang out to mark the start of the silence, while a flag in the school’s courtyard had been lowered to half-mast.

Anne Kennedy, deputy headteacher at The Holt School, read out a statement paying tribute to Mr Furlong.

She said: "We are so very sad to report that on Saturday, the 20th of June, James Furlong, our wonderfully talented and inspirational head of history and government and politics, was tragically killed in the terrorist incident at Forbury Gardens in Reading.

"James was a very kind and gentle man. He had a real sense of duty and cared for each and every one of our students.

"He truly inspired everyone he taught through his passion for his subject and his dedication.

"He was determined that our students would develop a critical awareness of global issues, and in doing so, (they) become active citizens and have a voice."

Students at the school said Mr Furlong was "always smiling".

Ella Banbury, 17, said: "He was just a really kind teacher. You would always see him smile - there wouldn't be a time where you wouldn't see him smiling.

"He wasn't just there to teach the subject, he wanted to make sure everyone is OK."

Kate La Cumbra, 17, said: "I joined the school this year and I didn't have any subjects with him but even if you didn't know him, around school he would always be happy to help you.

"He'd always smile at you, say hi."

Another student, Poppy Hind, 17, added: "His smile was the main thing. He would walk around school with a massive smile on his face every single day."

Tributes were left at the Blagrave Arms, a pub the three men often visited. Credit: PA

A heart-shaped floral tribute and candles have been placed outside the Blagrave Arms pub in Reading town centre, where the three men were known to frequent.

A note on the door said: “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.

“Our hearts go out to their family and friends, and the other victims of this horrific incident; out of respect for them and our customers, we will not be doing any interviews or be making any comment.

Alongside the names “Dave, James and Joe”, the text said: “We will never forget you. RIP.”

Home Secretary Priti Patel visited the scene of the stabbing at Forbury Gardens to lay flowers and pay tribute to the victims.

Two people injured in the attack remain in hospital, while one has now been discharged.

A 25-year-old suspect arrested on suspicion of murder and later re-arrested under the Terrorism Act is understood to be Khairi Saadallah, a refugee of the civil war in Libya, who briefly came to the attention of MI5 last year.