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.”

Hundreds dead as Europe breaks temperature records during heat wave

Senate Republican pushes overhaul to cut red tape and speed up American energy projects

Mamdani and Hochul announce cash infusion for New York City Abortion Access Hub expansion

Michigan childcare provider collected $1.1M in taxpayer funds despite no visible signs of operating

Trump Media battles Brazilian government in novel censorship case

Freedom 250’s Great American State Fair kicks off 16-day festival on National Mall: ‘America come to life’

Clinton judge gives anti-ICE agitator no prison time for assaulting federal officers in Minneapolis

DOJ threatens to sue California over ‘Glock ban,’ arguing law violates Second Amendment

Former New Jersey middle school teacher indicted on new charges including manufacturing child abuse material

Closed-door outburst turns into victory for Trump’s Iran negotiations

‘America is back’: Trump kicks off Great American State Fair with flyovers, patriotic National Mall speech

Trump administration says federal authorities have arrested more than 10,000 suspected gang members

Body believed to be Kansas City highway shooting suspect found in burned home’s basement by family: police

Pennsylvania mother’s video captures armed intruder holding her toddler as she begs for child’s release

‘High casualties’ feared after two powerful earthquakes rock Venezuela: USGS

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.