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.”

Protester punched in face by Trump supporter, mocked by president at Ohio rally: ‘Gotta go on a diet’

Man admits to dismembering ex-girlfriend, keeping severed head in suitcase after she played him ‘like a fool’

Raw Footage: Federal Agents Remove Evidence from Ilhan Omar’s House

DOJ Investigating Fox News, CNN, Broadcast Networks for Possible Violations of Federal Law

Mamdani Skips Decades-Long New York Tradition to Spite Christopher Columbus – Attendees Are Glad He’s a No-Show

Katie Zacharia says she plans to be press secretary until the end of Trump’s term as she preps for first briefing

Online marketplace jewelry listing tied to armed robbery in affluent Tennessee city

‘Maryland Dad’ All Over Again: TX Illegal ICE Shot and Libs Love Was Machete-Wielding Menace, Says Ex-Neighbor

Trump says he’s not involved in investigation into Ilhan Omar

Watch: Fireworks as Black Student and Talarico Voters Meet – Begin Hating, Attacking Each Other in Seconds

Coworker accused of slashing woman’s throat during ride home, victim escaped moving car: police

Ouch: ‘Saturday Night Live’ Turns Jelly Roll Into a Punchline

DNC Chair Ken Martin defends ‘Big Tent’ strategy when pressed on democratic socialists

Mamdani unveils sweeping NYPD use-of-force review, but stops short of fulfilling key campaign promises

ATF suspends federal registration and approval rules for certain firearms

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.