Utah man celebrating wedding anniversary among those killed in London attack
Kurt Cochran was celebrating his wedding anniversary with his wife Melissa.
— -- An American tourist celebrating his wedding anniversary in Europe was among those killed in the terrorist attack in London on Wednesday, a family member confirmed to ABC News.
Utah resident Kurt Cochran, 54, and his wife Melissa traveled to Europe to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary and were visiting London on Wednesday, with plans to return to the United States today. Cochran and his wife were both wounded in the attack. Cochran died from his injuries while Melissa remains in the hospital, according to a statement from her brother, Clint Payne.
"Our family is heartbroken to learn of the death of our brother and son-in-law, Kurt W. Cochran, who was a victim of Wednesday's terrorist attack in London. Kurt was a good man and a loving husband to our sister and daughter, Melissa. They were in Europe to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary, and were scheduled to return to the United States on Thursday," Payne said in the statement obtained by ABC News.
"Melissa also received serious injuries in the attack, and is being cared for in the hospital. We express our gratitude to the emergency and medical personnel who have cared for them and ask for your prayers on behalf of Melissa and our family. Kurt will be greatly missed, and we ask for privacy as our family mourns and as Melissa recovers from her injuries," the statement added.
President Donald Trump took to Twitter to offer his condolences to Cochran's loved ones. White House press secretary Sean Spicer told reporters Wednesday that the president had been briefed on the attack and spoke with U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May by telephone.
Utah Gov. Gary Herbert also issued a statement in a series of tweets, wishing Melissa a full recovery.
Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah posted a statement on Twitter, saying his office reached out to the Cochran family to offer support.
Wednesday's attack began around 2:40 p.m. local time, when a car struck pedestrians and three police officers on Westminster Bridge in London. The car then crashed into the fence around the Houses of Parliament, and a man armed with a knife attacked an officer who was standing guard, according to the Metropolitan Police Service.
Four people, including a police officer, were killed and at least 28 others were injured in the attack which authorities have declared a terrorist incident. A man believed to be the attacker was shot dead by police at the scene, police said.
The man police believe is responsible for Wednesday's attack was identified today as U.K. native Khalid Masood.
Police said Masood, 52, was known to authorities and has a range of previous convictions for assaults, including grievous bodily harm, possession of offensive weapons and public order offenses. His most recent conviction was in December 2003 for possession of a knife, according to the Metropolitan Police Service in London.
Massod was born in Kent in southeast England and detectives believe he was most recently residing in the West Midlands in western-central England. He was also known by a number of aliases, according to police.
Masood has not been convicted of any terrorism offenses, police noted.
Police said Masood was not the subject of any current investigations and there was no prior intelligence regarding his intent to launch a terrorist attack.
ABC News' Michael Kreisel and Jennifer Watts contributed to this report.