During yesterday’s brutal London street attack that left a British soldier dead, a brave woman stepped up to confront the attackers while everyone else in the street looked on in terror. Ingrid Loyau-Kennett, a 48-year-old mother who lives in Cornwall in southwest England, is a hero.
Here’s what you should know about her and her role in this tragic event.
1. She Got Off the Bus to Help
Loyau-Kennett got off a bus when she saw a badly injured person on the sidewalk. There, she confronted one of the knife-wielding attackers and tried to engage him in conversation when he told her to stay away from the body.
2. She Distracted the Attacker While the Authorities Were on the Way
As the crowd looked on in horror, the brave mother acted. According to The Telegraph, she spoke at length to the attacker in an attempt to calm him down and keep him there until police arrived. In her interview with the UK newspaper, she said that the attacker declared his plans to hurt police officers when they arrived.
3. She Discovered the Motive
In an NBC interview Loyau-Kennett said that the perpetrator told her that his motive was retribution for the Muslim women and children killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Due to this revelation the incident is deemed an act of terror.
Official: Both suspects in London attack were part of previous security probes for possible terror links: apne.ws/10O3wuc -RAS
— The Associated Press (@AP) May 23, 2013
4. She Saw Police Shoot the Attackers
While conversing with the attackers, Loyau-Kennett allegedly tried to talk the perpetrator into handing the knife over to her. When he did not, she re-boarded the bus just before police arrive. In the Telegraph interview, she claimed that from the bus she saw the police shoot the knife-wielding attackers in the legs.
5. She is a Cub Scout Leader, and Twitter Loves Her
Cub Scout Leader Ingrid Loyau-Kennett today made a positive community contribution confronting a Woolwich terrorist scouts.org.uk/news/2013/05/b…
— UK Scout Association (@UKScouting) May 22, 2013
the story of the mother who confronted the guy who beheaded the British soldier is incredible… bit.ly/12ZmgKf
— Michael Skolnik (@MichaelSkolnik) May 23, 2013
Awed by the bravery ofIngrid Loyau-Kennett, and others after the Woolwich attack. Reminding us all of the wonderful side of humanity.
— Alex Reid (@AlexReid) May 23, 2013