American and scientist named as victims of attack
On Saturday night, just before 7pm, a terrorist attack took place in Reading’s Forbury Gardens. Three people were killed, and at least another three people injured. The nation has grieved with us. PHIL CREIGHTON and JESS WARREN report
AN AMERICAN man, and a scientist were named as the second and third victims from the weekend attack at Forbury Gardens.
Joe Ritchie-Bennett, 39, worked at a Dutch pharmaceutical company in Reading.
He moved to England from Philadelphia 15 years ago.
Speaking to the Northeast Philadelphia, Robert Ritchie, described his son as an “absolutely fabulous guy. I absolutely love my son with all of my heart and all of my soul.”
He added: “We’re mourning, and we’re trying to decide what we’re going to do.
“It’s 3,500 miles away. They are still in lockdown over there with the coronavirus, and
I don’t knowwhat else to say.”
Friend of Mr Ritchie-Bennett, Neil Jarvis said: “I met Joe when he was a bartender at the Wynford Arms.
“He was a fun, caring guy. It sounds cliche but he was the life of the party.
“He was colourful and lively — you knew once he had stepped into a room.”
BBC Radio Berkshire presenter SarahWalker said Mr Ritchie-Bennett had been married to her friend, Ian, who died from cancer almost six years ago.
MsWalker described him as a “fantastic human being”.
She said: “He was one of those unique people who on one hand could make you properly belly laugh, but, at the same time, he could showyou such extraordinary kindness.”
DavidWails, a 49-year-old senior principal scientist at Johnson Matthey, was the last victim to be named.
Mother Joan, brother
Andrew and sister Anne said he was a “kind and much loved son, brother and uncle who never hurt anyone in his life”.
They said: “We are broken-hearted at losing him and in such a terrible way.”
And friend Michael Main, said he “always made people smile”.
“We’d have a lot of banter... it’s sad to know he's gone so early,” he added.