Tributes paid to Westminster victims as police name attacker

THE Westminster terror attacker has been named as Khalid Masood.

Scotland Yard said the 52-year-old was not the subject of any current investigations and there was “no prior intelligence about his intent to mount a terrorist attack”.

However, he was known to police and has a range of previous convictions for assaults, including GBH, possession of offensive weapons and public order offences.

Masood was born in Kent and detectives believe he was most recently living in the West Midlands.

He was also known by a number of aliases, the Metropolitan Police said.

Keith Palmer, Aysha Frade and Kurt Cochran tragically died in the Westminster terror attack.

But who were they? Here is everything we know so far about the victims.

Keith Palmer

PC Palmer was the unarmed police officer who was stabbed by the attacker outside Parliament.

The 48-year-old husband and father was part of the parliamentary and diplomatic protection command. He had 15 years’ service.

Speaking outside Scotland Yard, acting deputy commissioner Mark Rowley, the Met’s top anti-terror officer, said: “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.”

Pc Palmer was a fan of football club Charlton Athletic, where he held a season ticket. In memory of him, the club placed a flag over his seat.

It is with great sadness that the club has learned of the tragic death of loyal fan, PC Keith Palmer –> https://t.co/4YED5bCx7j #cafc pic.twitter.com/TQbKSrGFET

— Charlton Athletic FC (@CAFCofficial) March 23, 2017

The club said: “Keith was a familiar face at The Valley to many supporters and sat in his same East Stand seat for many years.

As an immediate tribute, a red-and-white scarf has been placed on his seat which will remain until the next home game on Tuesday, April 4th, while the club will discuss ways in which it can commemorate his life at the game itself.”

As an immediate tribute to hero Keith, a red and white scarf has been placed on the seat which he occupied for many years… #cafc pic.twitter.com/iKZkQufC6i

— Charlton Athletic FC (@CAFCofficial) March 23, 2017

Meanwhile more than £40,000 has already been raised for Pc Palmer’s family on a JustGiving page.

PC Palmer was in the Royal Artillery before he became a policeman, where he met and befriended James Cleverly, who went on to become a Conservative MP.

Speaking in Parliament, Mr Cleverly paid a tearful tribute to his friend, saying: “He was a strong, professional public servant and it was a delight to meet him again only a few months after being elected.”

One former policewoman said her life had been saved by PC Palmer.

Giving her name only as Nina, from Orpington, south-east London, she told radio station LBC: “He actually did save my life in a car accident on duty.

“I owe him everything. He was a wonderful dad and wonderful husband to his wife and everything.”

Aysha Frade

There are 2 kids today whose Mam can't pick them up from school. Too sad for words. RIP Aysha Frade ?#LondonAttacks

— Claire (@claire626) March 23, 2017

Aysha Frade is understood to have been 43 and married with two daughters – reports said she had left work and was crossing Westminster Bridge when she was hit by the car.

She worked in administration at the independent sixth-form school DLD College London in Westminster.

DLD College principal Rachel Borland said Mrs Frade would be “deeply missed by all of us”.

She said: “She was highly regarded and loved by our students and by her colleagues.”

Video: A former neighbour of attack victim Aysha Frade speaks of her shock and sadness. pic.twitter.com/gFkYiDPm9d

— Catherine Wylie (@wyliecatherine) March 23, 2017

Former neighbour Patricia Scotland said she had lived beside the family for years and had known Mrs Frade’s husband John since he was a little boy.

She said: “I’m just wanting them to know that I’m saddened by it all and my deepest, deepest, deepest condolences to them. She will be sadly missed.”

Another former neighbour, Vigi Sawdon, said: “If you can imagine one of the most upstanding members of society, that was her.

“She was just a wonderful mother and a lovely person.”

The British national’s family originates from Spain, where at least 100 people attended a memorial for her.

A minute’s silence was held in the Galician municipality of Betanzos, where Mrs Frade used to spend her summers.

Betanzos councillor Andres Hermida said the community in Spain was in “enormous pain” and shrouded in an “atmosphere of sadness”.

Kurt Cochran

US citizen and tourist Kurt Cochran, from Utah, was the third victim of the Westminster attack.

His brother-in-law Clint Payne said in a statement: “Kurt was a good man and a loving husband to our sister and daughter, Melissa. They were in Europe to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary, and were scheduled to return to the United States on Thursday.

“Melissa also received serious injuries in the attack, and is being cared for in the hospital. 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 from her injuries.”

Mr Cochran had posted pictures on Facebook earlier in the month of his holiday, which included trips to Scotland, Ireland and Germany.

US President Donald Trump paid tribute to Mr Cochran, saying he was “a great American”.