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.
A statement from his father John Bevington said: “We are all devastated by the untimely and tragic death of our talented, compassionate and caring son.
“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.”
Of the other three who died, one was Belgian and two were Swedish.
The suspected attacker, arrested on Friday, is a 39-year-old asylum seeker from Uzbekistan who had his application for residency rejected last year.
The police have revealed the man was known to authorities some years ago but as “a more marginal character”.
At a press conference on Sunday 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”.
The latest outrage inflicted on the continent came just two weeks after similar tactics were used to attack London, when Muslim convert Khalid Masood drove into crowds on Westminster Bridge.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here