“The circumstances are being assessed; the incident has been declared as terrorist-related,” police said.
By Associated Press
London police officers shot and killed a suspect after at least two people were stabbed Sunday in what authorities are investigating as a terror attack.
The attack in the Streatham neighborhood of south London, a bustling residential area that doesn’t boast any major British landmarks like areas hit by earlier attacks.
“The circumstances are being assessed; the incident has been declared as terrorist-related,” police said.
Witnesses reported hearing two gunshots just after 2 p.m. Social media showed multiple ambulances on the scene and helicopters in the air as helicopters responded to the incident.
Police warned people to stay out of the area.
Gulled Bulhan, a 19-year-old student from Streatham, told Britain’s Press Association that he witnessed the attack.
“I was crossing the road when I saw a man with a machete and silver canisters on his chest being chased by what I assume was an undercover police officer – as they were in civilian clothing,” he said. “The man was then shot. I think I heard three gun shots but I can’t quite remember.
Bulhan said he ran into a local library to seek safety.
“From the library I saw a load of ambulances and armed police officers arrive on the scene,” he said.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has expressed his concern for those injured in the terror-related incident in south-east London.
Johnson tweeted: “Thank you to all emergency services responding to the incident in Streatham, which the police have now declared as terrorism-related.”