Chris Bevington: First picture of 'talented and compassionate' Brit killed in Stockholm terror attack

Robin de Peyer9 April 2017

This is the first picture of a "talented and compassionate" British father who was killed in the Stockholm terror attack.

Chris Bevington, 41, had been living and working in the Swedish capital for the last 10 years before he died when a lorry mowed down pedestrians in a busy shopping district there 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 Chris.

"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."

The aftermath of the attack in Stockholm
TT News Agency/Press Association

Mr Bevington lived in Stockholm with his family and worked as a director with music streaming service Spotify.

Spotify founder Daniel Ek told of his shock that his colleague had died in a "senseless attack".

In a statement posted online he said: "Chris has been a member of our band for over five years.

"He has had a great impact on not just the business but on everyone who had the privilege to know and work with him.

"There are no words for how missed he will be or for how sad we all are to have lost him like this.

"Whilst this terrible news is sinking in, our primary focus is on supporting the family and loved ones of Chris in any way we possibly can.

"I am as deeply saddened and upset as all of you that something like this could happen in Sweden.

"The only light in this deeply tragic moment is the outpouring of love, compassion and solidarity that we have seen from everyone.

"And that was exactly the kind of person Chris was as well. We will greatly miss you Chris. Rest in peace my friend."

It comes as police revealed the suspected terrorist who drove into a department store in the heart of the Swedish capital was an asylum seeker who had his application rejected.

The 39-year-old man from Uzbekistan was known to security services and remains in custody.

He was sympathetic to extremist groups and had been sought by authorities for deportation, according to police.

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A Swedish police spokesman told a press conference: "All four deceased are now identified and family to the deceased are notified.

"There are two Swedish citizens among the deceased and there are two foreign citizens among the deceased and the countries' embassies are being contacted as we speak."

A spokeswoman for the Foreign Office said: "We now know that a British man was killed during the attack in Stockholm.

"We are supporting his family in Sweden and in the UK. Our thoughts are with them and all those affected at this terrible time. We will stand shoulder to shoulder with Sweden as they deal with this tragedy."

The man arrested remains officers’ prime suspect for the attack, which saw a hijacked lorry plough into the front of a shop in the pedestrian thoroughfare of Drottninggatan.

Four people were killed in the horrific assault and 10, including a child, remain in hospital. Two are in intensive care.

Swedish borders have been tightened at the request of the country’s Prime Minister Stefan Lofven – who call the incident a terrorist attack.

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