In an attack that had been feared by officials around the world, Khalid Masood, the 52-year old suspected terrorist, killed four people and injured 29 outside Parliament in London Wednesday morning.
Masood drove down a London street near the Westminster Bridge at 70 mph, running over pedestrians and cyclists, eventually crashing into the gates of Parliament. After the crash, he went on a stabbing rampage, killing four people, including PC Keith Palmer.
Theresa May, British Prime Minister, was rushed from the scene and later came out with a statement, calling the attack “sick and depraved,” also saying, “we are not afraid and our resolve will never waiver in the face of terrorism.”
The day following this statement, the Prime Minister told Parliament that the suspect had been investigated by MI5, but eventually the investigation was dismissed. They also had “no prior intelligence about his intent to mount a terrorist attack.” He had been living out in the West Midlands, according to MI5.
After the attack on Palmer, Masood was shot down by a nearby Parliament protection officer, who is known as of now to be Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon’s bodyguard.
Masood was deemed to be a lone-wolf attacker, being claimed by ISIS to be a “soldier” of the terrorist group. He had a string of convictions previous to the attack, but no terrorism charges. The attack was plotted by ISIS, calling it an “operation targeting the citizens of coalition countries.”
After Theresa May’s statement, British intelligence raided six locations in London, including the suspect’s apartment. Neighbours noted the black-clad officers with machine guns nearing their property with confusion. Seven people were arrested who were linked to the properties that were raided. The Prime Minister also visited the survivors of the attack and spent about 40 minutes discussing their experiences with them.
In conclusion, on our side of things, President Donald Trump sent his prayers and condolences via Twitter yesterday, saying:
"A great American, Kurt Cochran, was killed in the London terror attack. My prayers and condolences are with his family and friends." —@realDonaldTrump, via Twitter.
Former President Barack Obama also tweeted, saying:
"My heart goes out to the victims and their families in London. No act of terror can shake the strength and resilience of our British ally." —@BarackObama, via Twitter.
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