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.”

JD Vance arrives in Switzerland to join Kushner and Witkoff for new round of Iran negotiations

Trump says much of water in Reflecting Pool likely to be drained: ‘Necessary repairs’

Pope Leo sends unmistakable message on immigrants during visit honoring America’s first saint

Former Olympian among those charged with vandalizing Reflecting Pool; Trump says basin must be drained: report

Obama Presidential Center follows widely-mocked ‘stolen land’ acknowledgment with Native American dance show

Children among 6 wounded in Maryland mass shooting as detectives work to determine what occurred

Manhunt underway for Kansas City shooting spree suspect near World Cup venue; FBI offering $25K reward

US Park Police arrest former Olympian for vandalism of Reflecting Pool

Obama Center embeds ‘Indigenous’ land message on controversial site

Dem who sued to remove Trump’s name from Kennedy Center now says venue becoming ‘lifeless husk’ in fresh fight

Biden scores temporary court victory as Trump-appointed judge delays release of Hur investigation materials

Breaking: Iran Closes Strait of Hormuz, Threatens End to Peace Talks

Explosive report unearths prominent union money trail labeled a ‘stunning betrayal’ of MAGA members

Soccer Fan Accuses Israel of Killing Palestinian Team, Pathetically Falls Apart After Learning Palestinians Slaughtered Israeli Team in 1972

Trump blames ABC reporter and vandals for peeling Reflecting Pool and algae growth

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.