The man arrested for mowing down dozens of Liverpool FC soccer fans at a championship parade with a minivan has been identified as a “normal, well balanced” middle-class father, according to a report.
The 53-year-old suspect has been revealed to be a small business-owner who lived in a detached home in a Liverpool suburb with his teacher wife and their children, The Times of London reported.
Neighbors said the suspect, who has not yet been charged or publicly named, was “such a normal Liverpool dad” and a “genuinely pleasant family man,” according to the outlet.
“I briefly chatted to him six months ago. He seemed fairly normal, and as people go, quite down to earth and a normal, well balanced guy,” an anonymous former neighbor said, adding he was a “very sensible family man.”
“He was quite proud of his oldest child, and he was telling me how well they were doing. I got the sense he’s proud of his family,” that ex-neighbor dished to the outlet.
A current neighbor told the outlet the 53-year-old suspect once came to their house in the middle of the night to help them turn off a malfunctioning alarm, The Times of London reported.
“He was very thoughtful, and would look out for older residents in the street,” the neighbor told the publication.
“I really struggle to believe how he could be the [arrested man]. He’s the last person on this street I would have thought would be connected to something like that,” the neighbor added.
Social media reviewed by the Times of London revealed that the suspect competed in triathlons and took vacations to exotic locations.
British police are still questioning the man in connection with the unconscionable driving crash that saw scores of Liverpool FC boosters injured, with 79 people taken to area hospitals, including two young children.
Video showed the car encircled on Water Street by hundreds of fans who were partaking in the celebration of Liverpool FC’s Premier League Championship win, which drew tens of thousands of people to the streets.
The driver of the Ford Galaxy is believed to have followed an ambulance onto the crowded street, which was attempting to help a person in the crowd suffering from a heart attack, The Times of London reported, citing local law enforcement officials.
Fans enraged at the infraction poured in around the minivan and began beating at the windows and the windshield, causing yellow-vested cops to try and intervene, video showed.
The car lurches back then accelerates down the street striking numerous people — sending one fan flying head over heels across its hood, according to the footage.
At one point, the driver veers into a densely packed part of the crowd, hitting even more people before stopping the vehicle, according to video.
Police are still holding the 53-year-old in custody for questioning on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving offences, and driving while unfit through drugs, according to The Times of London.
Seven people remain hospitalized in stable condition as a result of the incident and there were zero fatalities, the publication reported.
NBA great LeBron James, a Liverpool FC minority owner, reacted with shock to the horrid scenes from the celebratory occasion on social media.
“OMG!!!! WTH. My deepest thoughts and prayers goes out to everyone affected that attended @LFC Premiere League trophy parade today! Such a senseless act!,” James wrote on X.