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.”

Israel ‘remains firmly committed’ to ceasefire but will continue occupation of southern Lebanon

News Outlet Caves to Democratic Senate Candidate, Kills Poll That Makes Her Look Bad

Watch: Angel Reese Shoves Caitlin Clark, Then Mocks Her as Long-Running Rivalry Is Renewed

Karmelo Anthony runs away after murdering Austin Metcalf: surveillance video

Michigan trio allegedly beat, strangled and gagged man at Las Vegas hotel to collect on gambling debts

Obama Snubs Trump from Presidential Center Opening, Then Subtly Attacks Him

Double endorsement drama: Trump backs second candidate in red state’s GOP gubernatorial runoff

Schiff silent on Biden-era Newsom probe report as California AG claims DOJ ‘weaponization’

Trump reveals new Air Force One will fly over DC on July 4

Transgender former New Hampshire state representative sentenced to 33 years for child sex abuse: report

WATCH: Boozy boaters unleash wild riverfront brawl as fists fly at popular South Carolina sandbar

New Air Force One takes flight as Trump unveils revamped presidential aircraft

Clarence Thomas and Two Fellow Conservatives Form Unexpected Majority with Two Liberals in SCOTUS Decision

‘Political stunt’ prosecution of ICE agent for ‘road rage’ provokes heated DHS response

Satanic: Muslim Pedophiles Told UK Girls That Being Raped Would Take Away Their Sins

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.