Politics & Government

President Trump 'Briefed' On Deadly London Attacks

British press reported that five were killed and at least 40 injured in the Wednesday attacks.

WASHINGTON, DC — President Trump has been briefed on the attack Wednesday by a knife-wielding man driving an SUV through a terrified crowd just outside Parliament in the governmental heart of London. Five people, including the assailant, were killed and at least 40 were injured.

Officials were investigating under the assumption the attack had been "inspired by international terrorism."

The assailant slammed into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge near Parliament at about 2:40, killing three people and injuring multiple others.

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After the driver crashed into a railing, he stabbed and killed a police officer and was shot dead by law enforcement officers.

"[President Trump] has been briefed on the situation in the U.K. Continuing to monitor and update," White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer wrote on Twitter early Wednesday.

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The counterterrorism department in the New York Police Department also announced that it was monitoring the situation.

According to the BBC, the police officer was stabbed by the attacker near the Parliament building. Reports indicate that there was commotion at the scene, and led to the building being put on lockdown.

The BBC quoted London police saying that the event would be treated as a "terrorist incident until we know otherwise."

Photo credit: Sundar M

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