BATTLE OF LONDON BRIDGE
HEART-STOPPING new footage reveals the heroic struggle that brought down a terrorist on London Bridge.
Dramatic high definition video shows brave bystanders tackling a man in a fake suicide vest moments after two innocent people died in a stabbing rampage.
39
39
39
39
39
39
39
39
The terrifying clip then shows armed cops surrounding the suspect and shooting him dead as terror struck the capital on Friday afternoon.
The terror suspect has now been named as 28-year-old Usman Khan, who was convicted in 2012 for terrorism offences and released from prison in December 2018 on licence, Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu said.
He had also served time in prison and is believed to have been wearing a tag.
The attack claimed two lives - a man and a woman.
Three people remained in hospital after at least 12 were slashed by the suspected "Islamic" knifeman.
Footage also revealed a hero who grabbed a 5ft narwhal tusk off the wall in Fishmongers' Hall, where the attack unfolded just before 2pm north of London Bridge.
He was seen wielding the massive pole as brave witnesses brought the terrorist down on the pavement.
The attack comes 15 months after the capital was gripped by terror when a man ploughed into cyclists outside the Houses of Parliament in August, 2018 - and two years on from the London Bridge terror attack that killed eight in 2017.
Security sources said Islamic terrorism was now "a key line of enquiry".
Neil Basu, the head of UK counter-terrorism policing, said: "We believe a device was strapped to the body of the suspect was a hoax device."
He said that while authorities were keeping an "open mind", it had been declared as a terrorist incident.
FOLLOW THE LIVE BLOG HERE
In one video, armed cops were seen ordering members of the public to step away from the "tall bearded" man before he was shot by one of the firearms officers at about 2pm.
A lorry was left jacknifed across the bridge as hundreds of panicked civilians ran for their lives.
Metropolitan Police commissioner Cressida Dick spoke to reporters on Friday night to confirm the details of the attack.
"I am deeply saddened and angered that our city has again been targeted by terrorism," she said.
"It is with the heaviest of hearts that I must now inform you that, as well as the suspect who was shot dead by police, two of those injured in this attack in the London Bridge area have tragically lost their lives."
New angle shows moment heroic cops take down London Bridge terrorist
Pictures from the scene showed one large kitchen knife lying next to the suspect's body with a second blade removed by a brave passerby.
Guy Lawrence, 48, said he saw a man running out of a building, believed to be Fishmonger's Hall, armed with two kitchen knives with 20cm blades.
He claimed one member of the public was seen running after the suspect, one armed with the narwhal tusk and another with a fire extinguisher.
He told The Times: "I saw all traffic stopped in front of me. I heard shooting — there was an attack. And I saw a guy on the floor. I heard two shots: bang, bang.
"Police were running towards us and they told us to get out and run."
I was just walking along the bridge and I heard four or five shots from behind me. I just ran. I didn’t even look back
Witness
London Mayor Sadiq Khan this afternoon paid tribute to the brave emergency services as well as the "breathtaking heroism of members of the public who literally ran towards danger, not knowing what confronted them."
He said: "Members of the public didn’t realise at the time that was a hoax device and they really are the best of us, another example of the bravery and heroism of ordinary Londoners running towards danger, risking their own personal safety to try and save others.
"And I want to say thank you to them on behalf of all Londoners but also because it shows the best of us."
And he vowed the capital would not be shaken by the horror attack.
Mr Khan added: "Terrorism is cowardly and evil. We must and we will stand united and resolute in the face of terror.
"Those who seek to attack and divide us will never succeed."
A Downing Street spokesperson confirmed a COBRA meeting - the government's crisis response - would be held on Friday night.
Did you see what happened? Do you know the heroes? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368. You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502
39
39
39
39
39
39
39
Horrified witnesses relieved their terror as they saw bloodied victims fleeing from the scene and the capital was put on lockdown.
One woman Coralie said she saw a girl running after being stabbed in the arm.
She said she saw “two, three people stabbed” at Fishmongers’ Hall, saying: “One minor and the other two were proper bleeding.
“One of our colleagues is in the hospital with three stabs.”
Witnesses recounted how they heard "five or six" gunshots ring out as cops swooped.
Amanda Hunter said she was on a bus when it came to a stop, saying: "There was a commotion and I looked over the window and I saw three police officers running over to a man who had something in his hand, I don’t know what.
"I saw a police officer shoot him.
"I saw a man and three police officers trying to put him on the ground and then I heard about three shots go into the man and then police officers went away from the suspect."
Another witness said she had run down to help - seeing a woman whose neck and face were "covered in blood."
Moment man shot by police after several people injured in London Bridge knife attack as hero seen recovering huge weapon
39
39
39
39
39
39
39
39
39
39
39
39
39
39
New video shows second angle of moment London Bridge terror suspect was shot dead after knife attack
A workman told The Sun Online he had seen a man with a vest on as cops swarmed on him.
He said: "I was over there on the bridge. The guy looked like he was wearing a suicide vest of some sort.
"The cops were pointing guns at him.
"This was after I heard shots but I don’t know if that’s the guy they fired at or someone else.
"Armed police and vans just started arriving and there was a stampede on Borough High Street.
"My heart is going."
Another witness told The Guardian: "I had my baby with me, so I moved her behind the stairwell to be safe. Then there was a two shots or two loud pops, I think they were gunshots. And I also saw a spent taser.
"And then the guy was lying on the floor.
"He then pulled his coat back, which showed that he had some sort of vest underneath [I don’t know] whether it was a stab vest or some sort of explosive vest.
"The police then really quickly moved backwards away."
(The suspect) then pulled his coat back, which showed that he had some sort of vest underneath
Witness
Another woman said: “I was just walking along the bridge and I heard four or five shots from behind me.
“I just ran. I didn’t even look back. I’ve no idea of it was police or not. I was terrified.”
Ambulance crews could be seen giving CPR to one person at the scene.
Tom Dunford told the BBC: "I saw two bodies get dragged and one guy getting resuscitated, but my understanding is that I think he passed away because I saw a sheet over him."
Witnesses were evacuated from the scene, with others told to stay inside restaurants and stores.
The University of Cambridge said it was concerned for the welfare of some of its staff who were at a nearby event.
"A spokesman said: We are gravely concerned at reports that University of Cambridge staff, students and alumni were caught up in the incident at London Bridge.
"We are urgently seeking clarification and further details. Our thoughts are with all those who have been affected by these terrible events."
Sadiq Khan declares London Bridge attack a terror incident and praises heroism of bystanders who tackled terrorist
39
39
39
39
39
39
Chilling echoes of London Bridge terror attack two years ago
Three terrorists killed eight people and injured 48 as they sped over London Bridge in a van before attacking revellers with hunting knives in June 2017.
The gang, armed with 12-inch blades and knifing innocent bystanders at random, were shot dead after firearms officers arrived at the scene around nine minutes after the rampage began.
One attacker was just 60cm away from an armed officer when he was shot dead. Both PCs Tchorzewski and Balfour were later awarded the Queen’s Police Medal.
Xavier Thomas, 45, Christine Archibald, 30, Sara Zelenak, 21, Sebastien Belanger, 36, James McMullan, 32, Kirsty Boden, 28, Alexandre Pigeard, 26, and Ignacio Echeverria, 39, were all killed in the slaughter.
Brave onlookers fought back against the terrorists - launching chairs and bottles as business owners pulled down their shutters to protect customers inside.
David Winchester, 57, who is visiting London from the US said he heard around five gunshots on London Bridge before running from the scene.
He said: "I heard five, maybe six shots, and then the screaming.
"I have no idea what it was about but everyone was screaming to run.
"There were people in tears. It was bad. You know when you just have to get out of somewhere."
Another witness, who asked not to be named, was stood near the junction with Tooley Street when she saw crowds race towards her.
She said: "Some people were shouting about a knife. Everyone was terrified.
"With the history in this area your instinct is to run."
MOST READ IN NEWS
Prime Minister Boris Johnson praised yesterday's heroes, saying: "They represent they very best of our country and I thank them on behalf of all of our country."
He added: "This is an appalling incident and all my thoughts are with the victims and their families."
Both the Conservatives and Labour tonight confirmed they had suspended their election campaigns in the wake of the horror.
A cordon has been set up at Borough Market while evacuation continues from nearby shops and businesses.
Priti Patel tweeted: "Very concerned by ongoing incident at London Bridge. My thoughts are with all affected.
"I am grateful for the rapid response of our police and I urge everyone to follow their advice."
US President Donald Trump offered his support to the UK, with White House deputy press secretary Judd Deere saying: "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."
Anyone who may have information that could assist the investigation should call the Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321. In an emergency dial 999.
39
39
39
39
Met Police confirm suspect 'strapped with hoax explosive device' shot dead at scene in 'terrorist incident'