At least a dozen people were injured following reports of an explosion and gunfire near the U.K. parliament in London. According to David Lidington, a ranking member of the House of Commons, an unidentified man who attacked a police officer in the building was subsequently tracked down and shot by the authorities. Meanwhile, additional reports of violence outside parliament include accounts of a vehicle striking people on the nearby Westminster Bridge, which crosses the River Thames.
Per onsite political reporters who were told shelter in place while police searched the area, much of the violence appears to have happened on or in the vicinity of the bridge. The Daily Telegraph political correspondent Christopher Hope began live-tweeting the events as they occurred around him and his colleagues:
Gun shots shots outside Parliament now
— Christopher Hopeđź“ť (@christopherhope) March 22, 2017
Shots fired outside Parliament. Loud explosion then shooting. Man lying shot outside gates to Parliament. Gun shots outside, Frightening.
— Christopher Hopeđź“ť (@christopherhope) March 22, 2017
Man receiving medical attention outside Westminster Hall. I heard loud explosion on Westminster bridge. Public running away
— Christopher Hopeđź“ť (@christopherhope) March 22, 2017
Police giving medical attention to person in Parliament Square
— Christopher Hopeđź“ť (@christopherhope) March 22, 2017
Armed police now arriving.
— Christopher Hopeđź“ť (@christopherhope) March 22, 2017
Earlier, an anonymous parliamentary official told Reuters at least two people had been shot inside parliament. As a result the building was immediately put on lock down, and the current House of Commons session was suspended while authorities tried to secure the location. As for whether or not the incident is terrorism related, MI5 — the country’s domestic counter-intelligence and security agency — told the Associated Press it was too early to tell. However, CNN reports police are investigating as terrorism until they hear a reason to do otherwise.
As for who the two injured persons were, Daily Mail political editor John Stevens reported an ambulance carrying the suspect’s body had already left the grounds. As for the second, which was still onsite, he claimed it was that of an officer:
Ambulance carrying intruder has left Parliament. The body of the person we think was police officer is dead, body covered by red blanket
— John Stevens (@johnestevens) March 22, 2017
Hope confirmed Stevens’ ambulance observation, but its occupant’s identity and the identity of the second victim have not yet been confirmed.
UPDATE #1: CNN reports the injured officer was stabbed by the suspect who was eventually shot. They also posted video of the moment Wednesday’s session immediately reacted to the gunfire outside.
Here’s the moment the UK Parliament stopped after gunshots were heard outside https://t.co/EUpio5MQRb pic.twitter.com/eECdpJ0ios
— CNN (@CNN) March 22, 2017
UPDATE #2: CBS News notes both the stabbed officer and the suspect who stabbed him were being treated for their injuries. Meanwhile, Sky News reports at least one woman is dead a vehicle mowed down several pedestrians on Westminster Bridge purposefully. Some outlets have suggested the vehicle’s driver and the officer’s attacker are one and the same, though the New York Times says this determination has not officially been confirmed.
UPDATE #3: MSNBC is reporting as of 2:09pm EST that London police say four people are confirmed dead and at least 20 have been injured.
(Via Reuters, CNN and Associated Press)