(WFLA) — The American who was killed in a mass stabbing in London on Wednesday was the wife of a Florida State University eminent scholar who had planned to return home to Tallahassee on Thursday.
Authorities say Somali-Norwegian teenager went on a knife rampage through London’s Russell Square, a hub for students and tourists, fatally stabbing Darlene Horton and wounding five other people. Police officers used a stun gun to subdue the 19-year-old suspect at the scene of the stabbings late Wednesday, among busy streets lined with hotels close to the British Museum.
Florida State University on Thursday released the following statement about the attack-
Florida State University officials have confirmed that the American woman killed in a mass stabbing Wednesday in London was the wife of an FSU eminent scholar.
Richard Wagner, Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Professor of Psychology, and his wife were in London where he taught in the summer session at the university’s renowned London Study Program. Wednesday night, she and five other pedestrians were suddenly attacked by a knife-wielding man in Russell Square. She died at the scene.
James Pitts, director of FSU International Programs, said students already had left the program for the summer, and none were involved in the incident at Russell Square. Pitts said that university administrators in London immediately offered assistance to Wagner. The couple had planned to return to Tallahassee today, Aug. 4, Pitts said.
“There are no words to express our heartache over this terrible tragedy,” said FSU President John Thrasher. “We are shocked that such senseless violence has touched our own FSU family, and we will do all we can to assist Professor Wagner and his loved ones, as well as his friends and colleagues in the Psychology department, as they mourn.”
Wagner holds the W. Russell and Eugenia Morcom Chair in Psychology. He also is the associate director of the Florida Center for Reading Research.
Florida Governor Rick Scott tweeted his condolences. “Extremely saddened to hear about the loss of Darlene Horton in London. Ann and I are praying for her family and loved ones.”
