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Several injured left an incident in Reading, UK 0:34
(CNN) –– A stabbing in the English city of Reading, which left three people dead this Saturday, is now being investigated as a “terrorist incident,” UK police said Sunday.
"Deputy Deputy Commissioner Dean Haydon, senior national coordinator of the National Police Terrorism Network (CTPSE), declared this morning that the incident is a terrorist incident and the entity will take over the investigation, ”Thames Valley Police said in a statement Sunday.
Six people were injured in the incident, which occurred at Forbury Gardens in downtown Reading. Three people died and three others suffered serious injuries, authorities said.
Police had previously said that the attack was not being treated as terrorism.
Police block the entrance near Forbury Gardens in downtown Reading.
A 25-year-old man from Reading, who was not identified by authorities, was arrested Saturday. Police reported that the man was detained at the scene on suspicion of murder and that authorities are not looking for other suspects.
“I am deeply saddened by the events of last night. This was a truly tragic incident and the thoughts of the Thames Valley Police are with everyone affected, ”said John Campbell, Chief of Thames Valley Police.
"Incidents of this nature are very strange, although I know that will be of little comfort to those involved and I understand the concern that this incident will have caused in our local community," he added.
Emergency services at Forbury Gardens in Reading city center responded to the incident, which killed three people.
A witness described a man who screamed before stabbing people. "The park was quite crowded, many people were sitting drinking with friends, when a single person walked through the park, shouted some unintelligible words and surrounded a large group of about 10, trying to stab them," said Lawrence Wort, 20 .
"He stabbed three of them badly in the neck and under the arms, and then he turned and started running towards me, and we turned around and started running," he added.
The man stabbed another person in the neck, Wort said, before running out of the park.
Police have urged people to avoid the area, confirming that the laces remain in place. And they have also asked witnesses to come forward if they have information.
“We would like to hear from anyone who has video images. Out of respect for the deceased and injured, along with their loved ones, please do not spread these images on social media: it will be incredibly distressing, ”said Chief Campbell.
Earlier this Sunday, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson held a meeting with security officials to discuss the fatal attack.
“The prime minister held a meeting at 9 am with high-ranking security officials, police and ministers at No. 10. The prime minister was briefed on the ongoing investigation into the fatal stabbings in Reading yesterday, ”a Downing Street spokesperson told CNN.
Salma Abdelaziz reported from Reading, Nada Bashir and Amy Woodyatt wrote in London. Sharon Braithwaite, Arnaud Siad, Dakin Andone, and Mitchell McCluskey contributed to this report.
Stabbing Terrorist Incident