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.”

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and AG Keith Ellison Set to Testify Before Congress About Massive Fraud Allegations

Conservative group blasts LinkedIn for removing pro-ICE post, labeling it ‘hateful’

Famed filmmaker presses Democrats to put ‘citizen-led’ presidential primary first

He’s Not Joking: Jim Acosta Claims Don Lemon Was Arrested Because He’s Black

LAPD arrests violent agitators after protests erupt outside federal detention center in Los Angeles

Government shuts down again after Democrats revolt over DHS funding

Left-wing activists storming synagogue use knee pads, adult diaper to mock Dem congressman over ICE vote

ICE lodges detainer for illegal immigrant accused of sexually assaulting teen

US approves massive arms sales to Israel and Saudi Arabia for more than $15 billion amid Middle East tensions

Letitia James fires attorney consumer fraud over criticism of pediatric ‘gender care’

Saudis won’t let the US use its bases or airspace for an attack on Iran, senior Gulf official reveals

DOJ Releases Massive Trove of Epstein Files Documents, Statement on Trump Involvement

Rep Jeffries escalates rhetoric against Noem, says DHS leader should be ‘put on ice permanently’

Coast Guard searching for survivors after commercial fishing boat sinks off Massachusetts; 1 body recovered

‘Opening Pandora’s Box’: Mike Johnson backs Trump after warning White House about deal with Democrats

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.