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London Bridge terrorist attack: one person killed before suspect shot dead London Bridge terrorist attack: two people killed before suspect shot dead
(32 minutes later)
Officers say circumstances are unclear but incident being treated as if terrorism-relatedOfficers say circumstances are unclear but incident being treated as if terrorism-related
One person was killed and a number of others injured in a terror attack near London Bridge on Friday before the suspect was wrestled to the ground by passersby and shot dead by police. Two people were killed and a number of others injured in a terrorist attack near London Bridge on Friday before the suspect was wrestled to the ground by passersby and shot dead by police.
The suspect, who police say was wearing a fake suicide vest, was killed after police were called to a stabbing incident at premises near the bridge shortly before 2pm on Friday. The suspect, who police say was wearing a fake suicide vest, was killed after emergency services were called to a stabbing incident at premises near the bridge shortly before 2pm on Friday.
Sources involved in the NHS response to the incident confirmed the member of the public’s death to the Guardian. All the casualties were taken to the Royal London hospital in Whitechapel, one of the capital’s four designated major trauma centres. The incident played out in extraordinary scenes that prompted praise for the bravery of members of the public and police. In graphic footage captured by bystanders, civilians are seen wrestling with a person lying on the ground at the northern end of the bridge, before being pulled to safety by armed police arriving at the scene.
Graphic footage posted on social media appeared to show civilians wrestling with a person lying on the ground at the northern end of the bridge, before they were pulled to safety by armed police arriving at the scene. The suspect, dressed in black, then appeared to try to rise, before firearms officers fired two shots. One man wearing a suit appeared to have removed a large knife from the suspect before the shots were fired, and was filmed running down the road away from the scene gesturing at others to get back.
The man, dressed in black, then appeared to try to rise, before firearms officers fired two shots. Police confirmed he died at the scene. It is believed that he was acting alone. Police confirmed the suspect died at the scene. It is believed that he was acting alone.
One man wearing a suit appeared to have removed a large knife from the suspect. There is serious concern about the condition of one of those injured. All the casualties were taken to the Royal London hospital in Whitechapel, one of the capital’s four designated major trauma centres.
Boris Johnson paid tribute to those involved in ending the attack and said “anybody involved in this crime and these attacks will be hunted down and brought to justice”.Boris Johnson paid tribute to those involved in ending the attack and said “anybody involved in this crime and these attacks will be hunted down and brought to justice”.
“As soon as we can provide further updates on their condition we will,” Neil Basu, assistant commissioner of the Metropolitan police, said in a statement outside Scotland Yard. “Our heartfelt sympathies go out to everybody who’s been involved in this and is anxiously waiting for information on their loved ones. As soon as we can get that information we will get it to you.”“As soon as we can provide further updates on their condition we will,” Neil Basu, assistant commissioner of the Metropolitan police, said in a statement outside Scotland Yard. “Our heartfelt sympathies go out to everybody who’s been involved in this and is anxiously waiting for information on their loved ones. As soon as we can get that information we will get it to you.”
The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said later that no one else was being sought over the incident.The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said later that no one else was being sought over the incident.
Due to initial reports that the suspect might have had an explosive device, wide cordons were in place to ensure there was no further danger to the public, Basu said.Due to initial reports that the suspect might have had an explosive device, wide cordons were in place to ensure there was no further danger to the public, Basu said.
The incident, which sparked panicked scenes as crowds ran from the bridge and took shelter in nearby buildings, had echoes of the terrorist attack on the bridge in June 2017, in which eight people died.The incident, which sparked panicked scenes as crowds ran from the bridge and took shelter in nearby buildings, had echoes of the terrorist attack on the bridge in June 2017, in which eight people died.
On that occasion, terrorists drove a van into crowds crossing the bridge before attacking others with knives there and in neighbouring pubs and restaurants. Police shot three Islamist terrorists dead and they were found to be wearing fake suicide vests.On that occasion, terrorists drove a van into crowds crossing the bridge before attacking others with knives there and in neighbouring pubs and restaurants. Police shot three Islamist terrorists dead and they were found to be wearing fake suicide vests.
The national terrorist level was lowered from “severe” to “substantial” earlier this month.The national terrorist level was lowered from “severe” to “substantial” earlier this month.
One witness who was on a bus going over the bridge said she thought she saw a “stab vest or some sort of explosive vest” worn by the person lying on the bridge.One witness who was on a bus going over the bridge said she thought she saw a “stab vest or some sort of explosive vest” worn by the person lying on the bridge.
Kirsten Jones told BBC News: “We thought it looked like there was a fight going on, people sort of tussling with each other, and then you realise it was police wrestling with one tall, bearded man. Karen Bosch, who was on a bus with her baby travelling along the bridge, told the Guardian: “We were coming southbound on the number 21. We had stopped at a bus stop and were pulling away when I noticed people running into and across the road. We saw people tussling or fighting, I thought there was a fight or a stabbing.
“I had my baby with me so I moved behind the stairwell to be safe, but then there were two shots, or two loud pops, I think, I think they were gunshots, two loud pops, and I also saw a dispensed Taser and then the guy was lying on the floor. “Then the bus stopped and it was clear there were three police with guns struggling with one man, a tall man who had a dark jacket and beard. The next thing I saw was the man with the beard lying on ground and I heard two pops or shots. A spent taser was also lying on the ground.”
“He then pulled his coat back which showed that he had some sort of vest underneath, whether it’s a stab vest, or some sort of explosive vest, the police then really quickly moved backwards, away. Bosch said she moved to a safer place on the bus. “We were on the other side of the carriageway but there was nothing between us and what was going on.
“Of course, on the bus, we’re panicking, we’re almost as close as the police to him, and he was sort of lying there pulling his coat backwards, and the police were shouting at him and staying back from him.” “The guy on the floor opened his jacket and police backed away really fast. I thought maybe it was a bomb vest and if that went off, we were so close. I was so worried about my baby.”
Yahoo News quoted one woman who said she had witnessed the incident inside Fishmonger’s Hall, a conference and events venue at the northern end of the bridge.
The woman, who gave her name as Coralie, said: “I was in the building when I heard the screams and one girl ran towards me because she got stabbed in her arm and everyone inside the conference started to panic.”
The building was hosting an event marking the fifth anniversary of Learning Together, a Cambridge University project bringing together people in criminal justice and higher education institutions.
Cars and buses on the busy bridge were at a standstill, with a white lorry stopped diagonally across the lanes. Video footage showed police pointing guns at the lorry before moving to check its container.Cars and buses on the busy bridge were at a standstill, with a white lorry stopped diagonally across the lanes. Video footage showed police pointing guns at the lorry before moving to check its container.
The shooting of the suspect will now be investigated by the Independent Office for Police Conduct. By law, it has to examine all police shootings.The shooting of the suspect will now be investigated by the Independent Office for Police Conduct. By law, it has to examine all police shootings.
The prime minister, Boris Johnson, thanked the emergency services and members of the public, and said in a tweet: “This is an appalling incident and all my thoughts are with the victims and their families.” He returned to central London from his constituency to be personally briefed by Basu and the Met commissioner, Cressida Dick.The prime minister, Boris Johnson, thanked the emergency services and members of the public, and said in a tweet: “This is an appalling incident and all my thoughts are with the victims and their families.” He returned to central London from his constituency to be personally briefed by Basu and the Met commissioner, Cressida Dick.
Jeremy Corbyn tweeted: “Shocking reports from London Bridge. My thoughts are with those caught up in the incident. Thank you to the police and emergency services who are responding.”Jeremy Corbyn tweeted: “Shocking reports from London Bridge. My thoughts are with those caught up in the incident. Thank you to the police and emergency services who are responding.”
In a statement, Khan said: “Thank you to our brave emergency services who responded to today’s horrific attack. Every day they put their lives on the line for us – running towards danger to keep us safe.
“We must – and we will – stay resolute in our determination to stand strong and united in the face of terror. Those who seek to attack and divide us will never succeed.”
One woman from New York, who gave her name only as Aditi, said she had hidden in the attic of a cheese shop in nearby Borough market when she noticed people running from the bridge.One woman from New York, who gave her name only as Aditi, said she had hidden in the attic of a cheese shop in nearby Borough market when she noticed people running from the bridge.
“We ran down a side street and noticed people running into Neal’s Yard Dairy,” she told the Guardian. “We were one of the last to get in before they locked the door. We were taken to the attic and the staff said they had been trained for such an incident. We were there for around 30 minutes before the police gave clearance to exit and move further away from the market. My partner and I are rattled but OK. We’re just glad to be safe.”“We ran down a side street and noticed people running into Neal’s Yard Dairy,” she told the Guardian. “We were one of the last to get in before they locked the door. We were taken to the attic and the staff said they had been trained for such an incident. We were there for around 30 minutes before the police gave clearance to exit and move further away from the market. My partner and I are rattled but OK. We’re just glad to be safe.”
Another woman called Jo from east London said she had been in the market when people started to panic and run. “I saw two people fall over. The police then told people to get inside, so we sheltered in Le Pain Quotidien. They locked the doors and moved people away from the glass. The police has just let us leave.”Another woman called Jo from east London said she had been in the market when people started to panic and run. “I saw two people fall over. The police then told people to get inside, so we sheltered in Le Pain Quotidien. They locked the doors and moved people away from the glass. The police has just let us leave.”
More than 20 witnesses were taken to be debriefed at the police-allocated building near the incident. Some of them looked shaken as they entered the building.More than 20 witnesses were taken to be debriefed at the police-allocated building near the incident. Some of them looked shaken as they entered the building.
More arrived in marked and unmarked police vehicles as the afternoon wore on, including restaurant and transport workers. None were willing to talk to reporters.More arrived in marked and unmarked police vehicles as the afternoon wore on, including restaurant and transport workers. None were willing to talk to reporters.
Additional reporting: Sarah Marsh, Lisa O’Carroll, Haroon Siddique, Rachel Obordo