Devastated relatives mourn British dad killed in Stockholm lorry attack
A BRITISH father who was killed in the Stockholm terror attack has been described as a “talented, compassionate and caring” person.
Chris Bevington (41) was one of four people who died when a lorry mowed down pedestrians in a busy shopping district of the Swedish capital on Friday.
Mr Bevington lived in Stockholm with his family and worked as a director with music streaming service Spotify.
His father, John Bevington, said: “We are all devastated by the untimely and tragic death of our talented, compassionate and caring son Chris.
“A wonderful husband, son, father, brother and close friend to many. The family requests absolute privacy at this incredibly difficult time to mourn his passing in peace.”
Spotify founder Daniel Ek told of his shock that his colleague had died in a “senseless attack”.
In a statement, he said: “Chris has been a member of our band for over five years.
“He has had a great impact on not just the business but on everyone who had the privilege to know and work with him.
“There are no words for how missed he will be or for how sad we all are to have lost him like this. Whilst this terrible news is sinking in, our primary focus is on supporting the family and loved ones of Chris in any way we possibly can.
“I am as deeply saddened and upset as all of you that something like this could happen in Sweden. The only light in this deeply tragic moment is the outpouring of love, compassion and solidarity that we have seen from everyone.”
Of the other three people who died, two were Swedish, and one was a 31-year-old woman who had been living in Halle, Belgium. The suspected attacker, arrested on Friday, is a 39-year-old asylum seeker from Uzbekistan who had his application for residency rejected last year, according to Swedish police.
The force have revealed the man was known to authorities some years ago but as “a more marginal character”.
At a press conference yesterday they said he was sympathetic to extremist groups and had been sought by authorities for deportation.
Authorities added that they had arrested a second suspect and questioned more than 500 people in the investigation so far.
Ten of the 15 victims injured in the attack are still being treated in hospital, four of whom remain in a serious condition. Two of those are in intensive care.
One child was injured but not seriously, a spokeswoman for Stockholm County Council confirmed.
Following the rampage, Sweden’s prime minister Stefan Lofven said “everything indicates that this is a terrorist attack” and later vowed he would not give in to attempts to destroy democracy.
Theresa May pledged solidarity with the country in the wake of what she described as a “terrible attack” and said “the UK stands firmly by Sweden’s side”.