Terrorist Incident Near British Parliament Leaves at Least Four Dead

The area surrounding the British Parliament in London was the scene of violence and shooting on Wednesday, April 2, resulting in at least four deaths and 20 injuries according to published reports. Reuters reported, citing officials from the House of Commons, that police forces shot a gunman outside the Parliament. The report states that the assailant attacked the entrance of Parliament with a large knife, injuring one police officer. Subsequent reports containing statements from Mark Rowley, head of the UK's anti-terrorism police branch, indicate that both the injured police officer and the assailant were killed. The British police had initially declared the incident as a terrorist event. However, the assailant's action of running over pedestrians before attacking the police has added a larger dimension to the incident. Witnesses say that a vehicle suddenly veered onto the sidewalk on Westminster Bridge, adjacent to Parliament, running over pedestrians. Initial reports indicated that at least five people were injured in this incident, and one of the injured later died after being taken to the hospital. However, the head of the anti-terrorism police branch stated that the number of victims was two. Europe has witnessed several similar terrorist incidents over the past year, including a truck attack on a market in Berlin that left 12 dead, for which ISIS claimed responsibility. Additionally, today, March 22, marks the anniversary of the terrorist attacks in the Brussels metro and airport, which claimed over thirty lives, also claimed by ISIS. Police officials have emphasized that a 'full anti-terrorism investigation' will be conducted regarding today's events. The British Parliament and its surrounding area, including Westminster Bridge, located near the famous 'Big Ben' clock, are considered tourist-heavy and busy areas of London.