'BLOOD SPRAYED OUT'
Reading stabbings – How knife maniac turned park drinks with pals into terrifying bloodbath
PARK-goers have told of the moment Reading's knife-wielding maniac turned their quiet drinks with pals into a terrifying bloodbath.
Several small groups were enjoying the sunshine at Forbury Gardens around 7pm yesterday before a 'Libyan man', 25, left three people dead and three others seriously injured.
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At least 12 people were stabbed in the frenzied attack, which police have now declared a terror incident.
The suspect, who was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder, is said to be a Libyan asylum seeker - and mental health is being considered a major factor in the incident.
What we know so far:
- Counter-terror cops take over probe, as police confirm it was a terror attack
- Three men confirmed to have been murdered, with three others taken to hospital
- Witness told how he saw blood spurting from the victims
- A hero cop spotted the knifeman and 'rugby tackled' him to the ground
- The Libyan suspect was arrested on suspicion of murder and is in custody - he has previously been in jail for "violent" offences
- Around 20 armed counter-terror cops raided a block of flats thought to be linked to the suspect
- Prime Minister Boris Johnson said his thoughts were with the victims - he chaired a meeting this morning
Stunned witness Lawrence Wort, 20, a personal trainer from Chippenham, described how one unsuspecting group was enjoying a drink in the park when the killer struck.
PALS STABBED
He said: "The park was pretty full. One group of friends were sitting drinking when one lone person walked through, suddenly shouted some unintelligible words and went around, 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 sitting down. He got one person in the back of the neck and then, when he realised everyone was starting to run, he ran out of the park."
Cops this morning confirmed that three people died in the attack, while three others - believed to have been taken to Royal Berkshire Hospital - are thought to be in a critical condition.
This morning, Thames Valley Police said the Counter Terrorism Policing South East (CTPSE) had taken over the investigation.
Although the stabbings are now being treated as a terror attack, sources have said the suspect suffers from mental health issues.
'BLOOD SPRAYED OUT'
Dan, a 26-year-old local, told he was drinking wine in the park with two friends when he noticed a commotion about 20 metres away.
He said he and his pals were enjoying the sunshine when he saw a man approach a group "just in a circle chatting".
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.
Lawrence Wort
The man drew his attention because he appeared to be racing around the group "tapping them on the head".
Realising it was an attack, Dan said: "I thought they were playing duck duck goose and thought someone had been sick, we realised it was blood spraying out."
He and his two friends jumped up and began running as they saw the attacker move toward another group in what he thought was a random attack.
Dan said he saw the man take a blow to a woman's neck- but couldn't be sure if he was using a knife as he and his friends never got a close look at the weapon.
He said the woman "dropped like a weight," adding: "I saw a man with his face bleeding but stood up. When the first two people were stabbed the group stood up, and two of the people who dropped to the ground were stood up."
'KNOWN TO POLICE'
The 25-year-old suspect was reportedly "rugby-tackled" to the ground by a hero cop - and was later arrested on suspicion of murder.
Sources have said the attacker was known to officers, previously spending 12 months in jail for a minor offence.
The BBC reported these weren't linked to terrorism while Sky News believe they were "violence related".
Usually asylum seekers convicted in the UK would be deported back to their home country, but the suspect remained here due to conflict in Libya.
Armed police and counter-terrorism officers were later seen raiding a block of flats in the town’s Basingstoke Road - believed to be the home of the attacker.
Masked officers dressed in tactical gear carrying semi-automatic rifles were seen searching through flats in a residential block.
One flat in the three storey building was lit up by the searchlights of one armed cop, as he motioned to a mum carrying a baby to move from a room.
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."
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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."
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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."
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