London Attacker Identified as Man Released From Prison for Terrorism Offenses: Police

Armed police at the scene of an incident on London Bridge in central London following a police incident, on Nov. 29, 2019. (Dominic Lipinski/PA via AP)

British Police have identified the man who stabbed two people to death and injured three more in the London Bridge terrorist attack earlier Friday.

Usman Khan, 28, was shot dead by police after he went on the rampage targeting people at Fishmongers’ Hall near London Bridge in the heart of the city’s financial district.

The Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu said in a statement that Khan, who resided in the Staffordshire area, had been known to authorities after his conviction in 2012 for terrorism offenses. The 28-year-old was released from prison in December 2018 “on license,” meaning that he was released from jail to reintegrate back into the community but must adhere to certain conditions.

Basu said police had established a key line of inquiry to understand how Khan came to carry out this attack. They added that although their investigation is in the early stages, police are not seeking anyone else concerning the attack.

“We continue to make fast time inquiries to ensure that no other people were involved in this attack and that there is no outstanding threat to the public,” he said.

Just before 2 p.m., Khan was at an event at Fishmonger’s Hall called “Learning Together,” where police believe he began his attack, Basu said. He then made his way onto London Bridge, where he was fatally shot by armed officers. He was said to be wearing a fake suicide vest when he was shot.

Local media reported that during the attack, several members of the public confronted Khan trying to disarm him.

Police said extensive cordons are likely to remain in place around the crime scene and have urged the public to continue to avoid the area.

Following the attack, the White House issued a statement saying that President Donald Trump had been briefed and was monitoring the situation.

“The United States strongly condemns all horrific acts of violence on innocent people, and we pledge our full support to our ally, the United Kingdom,” the White House deputy press secretary Judd Deere said.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson also issued a statement and a video addressing the incident.

“I want to thank the emergency services and members of the public for their immense bravery in responding to this suspected terrorist attack at London Bridge. This is an appalling incident, and all my thoughts are with the victims and their families,” Johnson said.

Khan, who was part of an al-Qaeda-inspired terrorist group, was convicted for his involvement in the plot to blow up London’s Stock Exchange in 2010. He was one of the nine men who had pleaded guilty to that plot in 2012.

According to The Guardian, Khan is believed to have been a supporter of extremist group al-Muhijaroun, which has seen a number of its supporters previously carry out atrocities across London.

Reuters contributed to this report.