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.”

LeBron James Brushes Off Trump Criticizing His Disrespectful National Anthem Antics

Two Former Top FBI Officials Arrested in Connection with Hunter Biden Investigation

Former FBI officials charged with lying to Congress about Hunter Biden investigations

Chicago’s 12-language ballots make elections ‘harder to monitor,’ Illinois GOP chair warns

Sheriff says evidence ‘leaning one way’ in shooting deaths of disabled toddler and grandparents: report

Ex-FBI officials arrested in Hunter Biden laptop probe as testimony comes under scrutiny

Israel shuts down West Bank after two soliders shot dead by Palestinian gunmen

Ilhan Omar hit with expulsion threat as GOP lawmaker vows to boot her from Congress over DOJ probe

The United States of Fraud: California Scheme Used Homeless, Elderly People to Steal Billions

Breaking: Israel Orders Full West Bank Lockdown After IDF Troops Stop Terror Attack

EXCLUSIVE: Fed timeline challenges reports of migrant baby facing immigration judge alone

France prepares for another round of weekend protests

Ilhan Omar birth name questions could have far-reaching legal implications and more top headlines

House Democrats make push for western Michigan seat that’s long been a GOP stronghold

Maryland ballot measure aims to eliminate the state’s last GOP-held House district

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.