Man killed in suspected terror attack near London barracks

A man was killed in a grisly attack near a military barracks in south London on Wednesday, which British authorities are investigating as a possible act of terrorism. Two other men were injured in the incident.

As details about the attack remained scant, Prime Minister David Cameron held a press conference in the French capital Paris, where he had met with President François Hollande earlier in the day.

Cameron condemned the “sickening attack,” confirming that “there are strong indications that it is a terrorist incident” and added, “tonight our thoughts should be with the victim, with their family and their friends.”

Home Secretary Theresa May said she had been briefed by Britain’s domestic security service, MI5, and by police on what she called a “sickening and barbaric” attack.

Britain’s Ministry of Defense said it was urgently investigating reports that a soldier was involved in the incident.

Police said armed officers responded to reports of the attack on Wednesday afternoon just a few blocks from a military training barracks in southeast London.

Commander Simon Letchford said reports indicated that one man was being assaulted by two other men, and that a number of weapons – including possibly a firearm – were used in the attack.

He confirmed that one man was found dead at the scene and that two men were shot by police and taken to separate London hospitals. One of them is in serious condition, according to London Ambulance Service.

Pavement stained with blood

Live television images of the scene showed a trail of blood staining a pavement, cordoned off streets and crime scene investigators marking the scene.

David Dixon, head teacher of a nearby primary school, said police told him there was a serious incident. He said he saw a body lying in the road outside.

He told the BBC that he then made sure children were inside and put the school into lockdown mode. He said he then heard shots fired.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission, which is called in when officers are involved in shootings, confirmed that it is investigating the incident, which took place near the Royal Artillery Barracks.

The barracks – which house a number of the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery and independent companies of the Grenadier and Coldstream Guards – were the site of shooting events during the 2012 London Olympics.

Source: http://www.france24.com/en/20130522-uk-london-man-killed-suspected-terror-attack