A Metropolitan police officer stands guard at the scene of a “terrorist incident” near the UK Parliament. (Photo: Reuters)
A policeman was stabbed, a suspected terrorist shot and several people injured on Wednesday during a “terrorist incident” near the UK Parliament. David Lidington, the leader of the House, said in the chamber that an assailant who stabbed a policeman had been shot by police.
UPDATE: A second person is confirmed dead and officials says they have opened a full counterterrorism investigation into the attack outside the UK Parliament.
“Officers – including firearms officers – remain on the scene and we are treating this as a terrorist incident until we know otherwise,” London’s Metropolitan Police said in a statement.
Though information is still murky, it appears the attack unfolded in several locations, including on the iconic Westminster bridge where visitors take pictures of Big Ben and other tourist attractions. Witnesses are reporting a car rampage, police say an attacker had a knife and at least one lawmaker said he heard gun shots.
British lawmaker Grant Shapps said on Twitter that he was walking through the cloisters of the House of Commons to vote when he heard four gunshots. Police told lawmakers to get down on the ground and crawl to cover.
The House of Commons, which was in session at the time, was immediately suspended and lawmakers were asked to stay inside.
The law enforcement source said officials believed there was a suspect vehicle outside the UK Parliament with a suspicious package inside, but People’s Pundit Daily could not immediately confirm that report. A junior doctor confirmed at least one women is dead.
The incident took place on the first anniversary of attacks on Brussels in Belgium.
Britain is on its second-highest alert level of “severe” meaning an attack by militants is considered highly likely.
U.S. President Donald J. Trump told reporters at the White House he has been briefed on the attack in London and the State Department is monitoring the situation very closely.
