THE mother of Westminster terrorist Khalid Masood has said she is “deeply shocked, saddened and numbed” by the actions of her son.
Janet Ajao said she did not condone the attack or the beliefs which had led Masood to commit the “atrocity”.
In a statement released through the Metropolitan Police, she said: “I am so deeply shocked, saddened and numbed by the actions my son has taken that have killed and injured innocent people in Westminster.
“Since discovering that it was my son that was responsible I have shed many tears for the people caught up in this horrendous incident.
“I wish to make it absolutely clear, so there can be no doubt, I do not condone his actions nor support the beliefs he held that led to him committing this atrocity.
“I wish to thank my friends, family and community from the bottom of my heart for the love and support given to us.”
It came after the family of an American tourist killed in the attack, which also left his wife badly injured, have said he would have beared no “ill will”.
Kurt and Melissa Cochran, from Utah, were in London to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary when they were caught up in the carnage.
Mr Cochran, 54, was mown down and killed on Westminster Bridge.
His 46-year-old wife suffered a broken leg and rib.
Mr and Mrs Cochran arrived in the UK on March 3, on their first trip outside the US.
Clint Payne, Mrs Cochran’s brother, said: “They loved it here and Kurt repeatedly said that he felt that he was at home here, so thank you for being such good people.”
Mr Payne said the days since the attack had been “humbling and difficult” for the family, but that it had been a “tender experience” for them to be together to support Mrs Cochran.
And he said they took comfort from the idea that Mr Cochran focused on “the positive” things in life, saying: “Those of us who knew Kurt in life know that Kurt would not bear ill feelings towards anyone, and we can draw strength as a family from that.
“His whole life was an example of focusing on the positive, not pretending that negative things don’t exist, but not living our life in the negative.
“And that’s what we choose to do also.”
He added: “The most difficult part of all of this is that Kurt is no longer with us and we miss him terribly.
“He was an amazing individual who loved everyone and tried to make the world a better place.”
And he said: “The most difficult part of all of this is that Kurt is no longer with us and we miss him terribly.
“He was an amazing individual who loved everyone, and tried to make the world a better place.
“He left a legacy of generosity and service that continues to inspire us. We are deeply saddened to lose him but are grateful the world is coming to know him and be inspired by him.”
The couple had visited Holland, Germany, Ireland and Scotland and were in the English capital to spend time with Melissa’s parents who work there as missionaries for the Church of the Latter Day Saints.
For the last ten years the couple run a recording studio together in West Bountiful, Utah.
Mrs Cochran’s sister-in-law, Shantell Payne, said it was “awful, horrible, (and) gut-wrenching” that the attack had been carried out in the name of religion.
Sara McFarland, Mrs Cochran’s sister, said: “Last night we were speaking as a family about this and it was deeply unanimous that none of us harbour any ill will or harsh feelings towards this.
“We love our brother, we love what he brought to the world and we feel like this situation is going to bring many good things to the world, a lot of inspiration.”
Dimmon Payne, Mrs Cochran’s father, said the family had heard about the attack but did not know their loved ones were caught up in it until they saw photos online.
Mr Payne said the incident had brought the family “closer together”, while his wife, Sandra, Mrs Cochran’s mother, said her daughter was “recovering well”.
Four people were killed when Muslim convert Khalid Masood went on an 82-second killing spree.
Masood was shot dead by armed police after fatally knifing Pc Keith Palmer in the Palace of Westminster’s cobbled forecourt. Earlier he had also killed Aysha Frade, a 43-year-old married mother of two, and retired window cleaner Leslie Rhodes.
Two men arrested in connection with the investigation remain in custody.
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