American, police officer among attack victims
Four people were killed and at least 40 injured in Wednesday’s terrorist attack in London. The assailant was shot dead by police.
London police said Thursday that a 75- year- old man died after his life support was withdrawn. Here’s what we know about three of the victims.
Keith Palmer, officer
Palmer 48, a father and husband, had 15 years of service on the force. He died from stab wounds sustained while patrolling outside Parliament as part of the Diplomatic Protection Command.
Palmer was not armed when he was killed.
“He was someone who left for work today expecting to return home at the end of his shift, and he had every right to expect that would happen,” Mark Rowley, the acting deputy police commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, said in a statement.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan also paid tribute to the British police constable. “Keith Palmer was killed while bravely doing his duty — protecting our city and the heart of our democracy from those who want to destroy our way of life.”
Aysha Frade, teacher
Frade, 43, died of her injuries after being struck by the attacker’s car when it plowed into Westminster Bridge. She was on her way to pick up her children, 8 and 11, from school. Frade taught Spanish at DLD College London, which is close to Britain’s Parliament.
“She will be deeply missed by all of us,” the head of DLD College told British media. “She was highly regarded and loved by our students and by her colleagues.”
Kurt Cochran, tourist
Cochran was visiting London from Utah. He was celebrating his 25th wedding anniversary with his wife, Melissa, who was seriously injured in the attack.
“Our family is heartbroken to learn of the death of our brother — and sonin- law — Kurt W. Cochran. Kurt was a good man and a loving husband to our sister and daughter, Melissa,” his family said in a statement.
Cochran was 54.
“We express our gratitude to the emergency and medical personnel who have cared for them and ask for your prayers on behalf of Melissa and our family. Kurt will be greatly missed, and we ask for privacy as our family mourns and as Melissa recovers,” the family said.
The injured
Police said Thursday that of the 40 people injured, 29 required hospitalization.
They are a mix of nationalities including three French high school students, all boys, who were visiting London from Brittany. The students were injured on Westminster Bridge when the assailant mowed down pedestrians with a car.
Also among the injured: Five South Koreans caught up in a stampede of people trying to flee the attack, South Korea’s foreign ministry said.