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London Metropolitan Police Commander BJ Harrington says police are “open-minded to the motive” in the terrorist attack in London that has killed 4 and injured 20.
“Since 14:40hrs this afternoon (Wednesday, 22 March), the MPS has responded to an incident in the area of Parliament Square, and the Senior National Coordinator has declared this a terrorist incident,” Harrington said in a statement.
“And although we remain open-minded to the motive, a full counter-terrorism investigation is already underway. This is led by the Met’s counterterrorism command. At this stage, I will confirm what we know has happened, but I will not speculate,” Harrington continued.
A 4x4 truck mowed down people on Westminister Bridge before an attacker stabbed and killed a policeman with a knife outside Parliament.
As of this afternoon, the Financial Times reports the casualties have increased to 4 dead and 20 injured.
Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley said, “We're satisfied at this stage that it looks like there was only one attacker, but it would be foolish to be overconfident so early on.”
The attacker is being described as an “Asian man in his 40s.” Channel 4 News has named the attacker as Abu Izzadeen, a radical Muslim extremist who was in jail on terrorism offenses. However, ABC producer Rym Momtaz claims Izzadeen’s solicitor says he is still in jail. BNO Newsroom reports Izzadeen was wrongly named and said Channel 4 reports it is “no longer sure.”
The attack occurred one year after the suicide bombings in Brussels, which killed 32 people.
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