The identity of the second victim of jihadist Usman Khan’s knife attack on London Bridge has been revealed as Saskia Jones, a 23-year-old former student at the University of Cambridge.
Jones was taking part in an event in Fishmongers’ Hall to mark five years of the university’s Learning Together program, which brings together people in criminal justice and higher education institutions, when she was brutally murdered by Khan.
In a statement, the vice-chancellor of her alma mater, Professor Stephen J. Toope, said: “What should have been a joyous opportunity to celebrate the achievements of this unique and socially transformative program, hosted by our Institute of Criminology, was instead disrupted by an unspeakable criminal act.”
Professor Toope paid tribute to Khan’s other victim, 25-year-old Jack Merritt, who was a coordinator on the course, and added that another member of the university’s staff was one of the three people injured in the extremist’s attack.
Statement from the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge regarding yesterday's incident at London Bridge. pic.twitter.com/nN0WqmjkF9
“Our university condemns this abhorrent and senseless act of terror. Our condolences, our thoughts and our deepest sympathies are with the victims and their families,” he added.
Khan was reportedly attending the conference when he launched his stabbing spree. After attacking people at the conference, he was eventually subdued by members of the public on nearby London Bridge and was subsequently shot dead by police.
The Islamic State terrorist organization claimed responsibility for Khan’s rampage, according to SITE Intelligence Group, which tracks extremist groups’ online presence.
