London Attacker was Convicted Terrorist with Jihadist Ties

UPDATE — 7:46 PM EST/00:46 GMT: The man who carried out the London Bridge terror attack has been identified as 28-year-old Usman Khan, Metropolitan Police confirm. He was jailed in 2012 as part of a plot to bomb the London Stock Exchange and build a terrorist training camp. He was also believed to have supported al-Muhijaroun, a militant jihadist network in the United Kingdom, reports The Guardian. Read the original article below.

The suspected attacker responsible for Friday’s deadly stabbing in central London was a convicted terrorist who was recently released from prison and believed to possess ties to Islamic extremist groups, according to The Times.

Earlier, a knife-wielding man stabbed several people at London Bridge, killing two and wounding three others. Police shot the suspect dead at the scene. He is said to have worn a fake explosive vest and an electronic prison tag. Prior to the attack, the knifeman threatened to blow up Fishmongers’ Hall, where he was reportedly planning to attend a conference on prisoner rehabilitation organized by the University of Cambridge, reports The Times. Authorities are treating the deadly incident as a terror attack.

Pedestrians and vehicular commuters described the fear they felt and the chaos at the scene. Ulig Bek of Uzbekistan told The Times: “I saw the guy lying on the ground and didn’t know what was going on.”

America’s reddest state crowns GOP governor nominee

Democrats pick their fighter for uphill bid to flip deep-red Senate seat

69 live animals found stuffed in pillowcases in hidden car compartment after border arrest: Feds

Prosecutors hammer Tyler Robinson’s bid to derail death penalty in Charlie Kirk murder case

Never-Trump Republican is top Dem choice in crucial Florida primary

Trump’s support doesn’t save scandal-plagued lawmaker in primary

Pearl-Clutching Progressives Destroyed Political Discourse

Humiliation: Harry and Meghan’s Movie Defeated by Cat Video Compilation … Despite Opening in Almost 2x as Many Theaters

This Airline Will Now Start Charging Passengers for Space in Overhead Compartments

Trump admin scores court win to end deportation protections for Ethiopian migrants

Prosecutor corners Lindsay Clancy’s Catholic mother-in-law with ‘mortal sin’ question

Two planes blow tires while landing at major US airport hours apart, FAA investigating

Anti-socialism push can flip battlegrounds, Republican leader bets as party fights to hold House

Judge rules Trump can begin paint tests on 19th-century building after preservation groups sued

Democratic Congressman Under Ethics Committee Investigation for Alleged ‘Inappropriate Sexual Contact’

Bek, who video-recorded shots being fired, added: “The police were shouting at him and he was shouting, ‘Help, help, help’. Everyone was so shook up. Police were screaming, ‘Put it down.’”

Authorities shut off traffic to London Bridge and closed a nearby train station during the incident. They later said that enhanced patrols would be implemented throughout the city during this busy shopping period.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said it is a “mistake” to allow criminals to leave prison early and vowed to increased police presence following the “heartbreaking” attack.

“Obviously our thoughts are very much them and their families, their loved ones, everybody affected by the attack,” Johnson told reporters. “My thanks go first of all to the emergency services — the police, for their bravery and their professionalism, and to repeat again and give thanks again to members of the public who put themselves in harm’s way to protect others. I think they represent the best of our country.”

“I thank them on behalf of the rest of our country,” he added.

A NATO official said the alliance is not making any change in plans for next week’s summit in London. President Donald Trump is among those scheduled to attend.