Police Shoot Man on London Bridge, Saying Case May Be Terrorism NY Times, Nov 29, 2019
LONDON — A police officer shot a man on London Bridge on Friday in what the police called a possibly terrorism-related incident, which also involved a stabbing, left several people injured and paralyzed one of the busiest arteries through the city.
The chaotic clash, in a country where shootings are rare, involved several officers and civilians, and sent scores of people fleeing from the bridge and areas near it on both sides of the River Thames. It also revived memories of recent terrorist attacks in London, including one on the same bridge in 2017 that killed eight people.
Video posted on social media showed a crowd surrounding a man whom they appeared to be wrestling with and holding to the ground as police officers arrived. One man can be seen carrying a large knife away from the area as at least three police officers respond with their guns drawn.
The police pulled the other people away from the man on the ground, and then an officer appeared to fire at least one shot, hitting the man and prompting screams from bystanders. The Metropolitan Police reported that one man had been arrested and a number had been hurt.
Additional videos posted on social media showed police vehicles blocking both sides of the roadway on London Bridge. A clip taken from onboard a nearby bus showed three police officers with their guns drawn and pointed at a person lying on the ground.
QuoteLondon Bridge: Man shot by police after stabbing BBC, Nov 29, 2019
A stabbing attack on London Bridge is being treated by police as "terror-related", the Met has said.
The police said they were called to a stabbing just before 14:00.
A number of people were stabbed and one man has been shot by police, the force said.
Earlier, BBC reporter John McManus said he saw a fight on the bridge, with several men attacking one man. Police then arrived quickly and a number of shots were fired at the man, he said.
The Met said the circumstances surrounding the incident remained unclear but it was treating it as terror-related as a "precaution".
Earlier, the force said it had detained a man. London Ambulance Service has declared a "major incident".
British Transport Police said London Bridge station was currently closed and no trains would be stopping there.
The prime minister tweeted he was being updated on the incident and wanted to thank police and all emergency services for their response.
Home Secretary Priti Patel also tweeted that she was "very concerned" about the incident.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn tweeted that the reports from London Bridge were "shocking" and his thoughts were with those who were caught up in the incident.
Police have advised people near the scene to follow directions from officers on the ground.