Church warden, 88, killed in horror knife attack

A church warden, 88, has been identified as the man who was killed in a knife attack in South Wales on Tuesday. 

John Rees died after being stabbed in a Co-op shop in Penygraig, Rhondda. Three other victims involved in the incident are said to be in stable condition. A 29-year-old woman from forth who has been arrested.

Rees had left his wife in the car while queuing up to shop in the village store for their weekly groceries before he was killed in the random attack. 

Rees' family paid tribute to the grandfather of two in a statement: "John was the very definition of a good man, extremely respected and liked in the community. He was proud of his family, proud to be a Welshman and devoted to All Saints Church. We will all miss him terribly."

Another family friend sad: "He was known to everyone around here as Uncle John, he was that sort of man. He was a church warden and never had a bad word to say about anyone. He was the perfect gentleman."

Det Ch Insp Mark O'Shea, of South Wales Police's major crime investigations team a full investigation has been launched and that they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

"This is a very tragic incident and one man has died and his family is being supported by specially trained police officers," he said. "Our thoughts and condolences remain with the victim's family at this very sad time. This incident will have understandably caused a lot of shock in the local community and I want to reassure residents that a full investigation has been launched."

Rees was responsible for ringing the village church bells on Thuresdays for key workers during the COVID-19 outbreak.