Community Chat

[KingstonsMom]

London Bridge is on lock down after armed officers took down a man with a knife -- who'd already stabbed a handful of people -- during an attack police are calling terrorism.

Videos from the harrowing scene show civilians wrestling the suspect to the ground, and trying to get the knife out of his hand. Heavily armed special forces -- British cops are typically unarmed -- surrounded the scrum, pulled the civilians away and then opened fire.

The suspect was killed ... his body lied motionless on the sidewalk after the gunfire.

At least one witness reportedly thought the suspect might have explosives strapped to him. Police have confirmed there was a device on his body, but they believe it was a fake.

Police got the call just before 2 PM that someone with a knife was attacking people near the London Bridge -- and, so far, there are 5 reported knife injuries. The only fatality is the suspect.

The scene was reminiscent of the 2017 terrorist attack on the bridge ... when 3 suspects killed 8 people and injured 48 others.

[BlueFinch]

There was clearly some heroic behaviors from some of the civilians, which likely prevented more injuries, before police could respond. They certainly took care of it promptly.  

Imagine what could have happened, if the perp had an automatic weapon, instead of a knife.  Sadly, we know all too well.  

[bathina]

@BlueFinch exactly what my mother and I discussed this morning. Good thing the perp couldnt get his hands on an ar15. There would be many more dead. Some news outlets are reporting the attack was in retaliation for the al baghdadi killing. Also warned to be watchful in any European Christmas Market.

[sidsmom]

Hoax explosive device...wonder what was the purpose of that?

Twitter Trend Update (12:45cst):

[bathina]

@sidsmom Maybe to try and ward off capture or attack?

[BlueFinch]

@sidsmom I was wondering what the purpose was of the fake explosives, too. After doing some research, it seems these terrorists fully intend to die. When observed with probable explosives, they know they're more likely to be shot, without attempts to contain up close.  Their death wish is fulfilled. It's about becoming a martyr for the cause. It's a pattern seen before. 

This case proves such. The civilians jumped in, but the police didn't want to play that game. After the knife was obtained, there were enough hands to control, and arrest this perp, but police opted to shoot -- likely because active explosives hadn't been ruled out.  

[BlueFinch]

@bathina Yeah, sadly it's now a chronic condition, but I think everyone, everywhere needs to be eagle-eyed throughout the holiday season. Retaliation IS eventually more likely to occur, than not.  

[ms traditional]

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@BlueFinch wrote:

@bathina Yeah, sadly it's now a chronic condition, but I think everyone, everywhere needs to be eagle-eyed throughout the holiday season. Retaliation IS eventually more likely to occur, than not.  

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@BlueFinch  chronic is right.   there was just another attack at The Hague.  

[QueenDanceALot]

2 victims of the London attack have died.

[MorningLover]

It turns out that the London Bridge terrorist was released from prison after just 8 years despite literally plotting to bomb the London Stock Exchange.

The Met Police have named the London Bridge terrorist as Usman Khan, 28, previously convicted for terrorism

He was jailed for minimum of eight years having been convicted of a plot to bomb the London Stock Exchange

He had been part of a group plotting to bomb targets like the US Embassy and kill some public figures

The knife-wielding terrorist had been released from prison in December 2018 and was wearing an ankle tag 

Anti-terror police have raided a house in Staffordshire that is linked to the terrorist, who killed two people