England Mourns Victims of Terror Attack

England Mourns Victims of Terror Attack

At 2:40 p.m. on Wednesday, March 22, a terrorist attack took place on Westminster Bridge near the house of Parliament in England. Khalid Masood drove his rented Hyundai into pedestrians crossing the bridge, killing three people and injuring 40.

Masood, 52, a native of England, had a long criminal record and was previously investigated for ties to extremist groups. The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the incident.

Police are still investigating and trying to determine if Masood acted alone. Eleven people were arrested for possible connection to the case, but eight have been let out on bail.

After crashing outside of Parliament, the assailant tried to enter the complex armed with two knives. He was shot down by police soon after.

Among the casualties were a British teacher named Aysha Frade who was on the way to pick up her two children from school, an unnamed 75-year old man, Kurt Cochran of Utah who was celebrating his 25th wedding anniversary, and Keith Palmer, who was stabbed by Masood after he exited his vehicle.

Williston junior Couper Gunn spoke about the tragedy at an assembly on Saturday, March 25. He mentioned each victim’s name, including the perpetrator.

“The last victim is a man named Adrian Elms, born in Kent,” Gunn said. “Adrian Elms is better known to all of you as Khalid Masood. I include Adrian in this list of victims as a victim of the attack but also as a victim of a broken system in this country, in the U.S., and all over the world. A system where the proper care and attention is not given to the people, like Adrian, who need it.”

In the wake of the tragedy, Prime Minister Theresa May addressed Parliament. “We are not afraid, and our resolve will never waiver in the face of terrorism,” she said. Parliament observed a moment of silence for the victims and crowds gathered later at Trafalgar Square for a vigil.