Four innocent people are dead in London after a terrorist used a vehicle to run over dozens of pedestrians on Westminster Bridge right outside of the Houses of Parliament. After stopping his vehicle, the terrorist lashed out violently, fatally stabbing one police officer before being gunned down by other officers on the scene.
According to The Sun, a publication in the United Kingdom, ISIS “fanatics” took to social media in the aftermath of the attack to celebrate:
The terror fanatics dubbed the Nice and Berlin copycat attack “revenge” for the UK strikes in Mosul, Iraq calling it “blood for blood”.
3) #ISIS supporters online celebrating #London #Parliament attack as “blood with blood” & revenge for #UK strikes in #Mosul. pic.twitter.com/ws1nUGAcgi
— Rita Katz (@Rita_Katz) March 22, 2017
President Donald Trump’s press secretary Sean Spicer responded to the attack in a press conference this afternoon:
The President has been briefed on the situation in London. He just spoke to Prime Minister May and we’ll have a read-out on that situation and that call soon. We obviously condemn today’s attack in Westminster, which the United Kingdom is treating as an act of terrorism, and we applaud the quick response that the British police and their first responders made to the situation. The victims in this are in our thoughts and our prayers. The City of London and Her Majesty’s Government have the full support of the U.S. government in responding to the attack and bringing those to justice who are responsible.
Other American leaders reacted quickly to the incident on social media:
Speaker of the House Paul Ryan:
Terrible scene in London. Praying for the victims of this apparent act of terror. We stand with our friends in Parliament and Great Britain.
— Paul Ryan (@SpeakerRyan) March 22, 2017
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson:
On behalf of the United States, I express my condolences to the victims and their families. The American people send their thoughts and prayers to the people of the United Kingdom. We condemn these horrific acts of violence, and whether they were carried out by troubled individuals or by terrorists, the victims know no difference.
Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.)
On the one-year anniversary of the Brussels terror attacks, my thoughts and prayers go out to the people of London. #PrayForLondon
— Senator Thom Tillis (@SenThomTillis) March 22, 2017
Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.)
The people of #London are in my thoughts today. Sending sincere condolences to victims and their families in the aftermath of this attack.
— Senator Ben Cardin (@SenatorCardin) March 22, 2017
Senator Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.)
Keeping victims, first responders & all of London in my thoughts in the wake of today’s violent attack
— Sen. Maggie Hassan (@SenatorHassan) March 22, 2017
