Reading stabbing: Who were the terror attack victims?

A "BRILLIANT and loving" American man was one of three people stabbed to death in a suspected terrorist attack in a Reading park.

Two victims have now been named - while the suspect has been identified as Libyan asylum seeker Khairi Saadallah.

Who were the Reading terror attack victims?

Joe Ritchie-Bennett, 39, was remembered as a "brilliant and loving" man as his dad blasted his "senseless" killing after the carnage unfolded on the evening of June 20.

The US ambassador confirmed that an American citizen was one of the three killed, adding: "We condemn the attack absolutely and have offered our assistance to British law enforcement."

Mr Ritchie-Bennett was the second victim to be identified after the first killed in the attack was named as James Furlong, 36, a secondary school teacher.

He was the head of history, government and politics at The Holt School in Wokingham.

According to tributes posted on social media, Mr Ritchie-Bennett was friends with Mr Furlong, and his Facebook page said he was originally from Philadelphia in Pennsylvania, but had been living in Reading.

The Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper reported that he was 39 and had moved to England from the US around 15 years ago.

Mr Ritchie-Bennett's brother, Robert Ritchie, a captain in the Philadelphia police force, said: "I love him. I always have. I always will. He was a great guy.

"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 dad, also called Robert, said: "I absolutely love my son with all of my heart and all of my soul."

His friend, Mr Furlong, was among the three people who were killed on June 20 in the suspected terror knife attack in Forbury Gardens, Reading.

His pupils have left heartbreaking tributes to the beloved teacher.

One wrote on Facebook: "I have no words to describe the immense shock and sadness I feel for his loved one."

Another pupil tweeted: "My thoughts are with his loved ones. He is one man who will never be forgotten."

Councillor James Box, who lives in Wokingham, described Mr Furlong as an excellent teacher.

In a statement Anne Kennedy and Katie Pearce, the co-headteachers at the Holt School, said: "James was very kind and a gentleman. 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."

One other man killed during the rampage has not yet been identified.

The knifeman allegedly attacked the trio while they were enjoying an evening drink in the park.

When did the Reading stabbing happen?

Multiple people were stabbed around 7pm after the knifeman approached a group of middle aged men "sitting drinking beer" on June 20.

It is thought the group may have picked up takeaway beers from a nearby pub just moments before the attack in Forbury Gardens.

Distressing video showed people covered in blood and not moving as they lay on the ground.

The suspect was reportedly "rugby-tackled" by a hero cop and arrested on suspicion of murder.

Cops confirmed the morning after the attack that three people had died, three others were injured, and said it was a suspected terror attack.

Speaking on June 21, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "I am appalled and sickened that people should lose their lives in this way and our thoughts are very much with the families and friends of the victims today.

"I have obviously talked to the Chief Constable of Thames Valley police, thanked him and his officers for their bravery in tackling the suspect.

"We now have someone in custody, the police must get on with their job, get on with getting to the bottom of exactly what happened so it will be difficult to comment in detail.

"Except to say this - if there are lessons we need to learn about how we handle such cases, how we handle the events leading up to such cases, then we will learn those lessons, and we will not hesitate to take action where necessary."

The Reading terror suspect was first named as Khairi Saadallah on June 21 in a report by the.

He is reportedly a 25-year-old Libyan who came to Britain as an asylum seeker.

Sources reportedly claimed Saadallah was known to officers, and had previously spent at least 12 months in jail for minor offences.

The BBC said these were not linked to terrorism, and Sky News reported they were "violence-related".