On Wednesday, an alleged assailant was shot by British police after one policeman was stabbed inside the palaces of Westminster, home of the British Parliament, at least a dozen people were injured on nearby Westminster Bridge, and according to one member of Parliament, two people were shot outside Parliament.
Parliament’s session was suspended and the chamber was locked down after gunshots were heard outside. London’s Metropolitan Police confirmed they were responding to a “firearms incident” on Westminster Bridge.
Police cordoned off the streets; a medivac helicopter landed in the area. A witness told Sky News that he saw a man looking as if he was carrying a knife or small firearm walking toward police officers inside the Parliament campus. The Telegraph reported, “Witnesses described seeing a car crash into the perimeter fence on Westminster Bridge, hitting pedestrians, before the driver ran towards police officers guarding parliament. At least three shots were heard and people described seeing two people laid on the ground.”
A member of Parliament told members of Parliament that at least one police officer was stabbed inside the gates of the compound and the “alleged assailant was shot by armed police.”
According to Financial Times, there were more than 30 police at the scene and two bodies on the ground. FT added, “David Lidington, leader of the House, said: ‘At the moment, the very clear advice from the police and the security of the house is that we should remain under suspension and the Commons should remain in lock down until it is safe to return to normal procedures.’”
Prime Minister Theresa May was spirited away from the scene.