2 people stabbed, suspect shot dead in south London terrorist attack

A male suspect wearing a hoax explosive device was shot dead Sunday in south London by armed officers after he stabbed two people in an Islamist-related terrorist incident, London’s Metropolitan Police said.

The police said three people were injured during the attack which took place in London’s Streatham neighborhood. Two victims were stabbed and a third sustained minor injuries caused by glass after the police discharged a firearm. All three were transported to the hospital.

One victim, a man, is being treated for life-threatening injuries. The other victim, a woman, has non-life threatening injuries. The third victim, also a woman, was treated for minor injuries.

A device later determined to be a hoax was found strapped to the body of the suspect, the police said in a statement.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service Lucy D’Orsi said officers from the counter terrorism command are leading an investigation into the incident, which is believed to be “Islamist-related.”

The London Ambulance Service said it was called at 1:58 p.m. local time following “reports of an incident in Streatham High Road.” Just before 4 p.m. the police said via Twitter that the situation had been “fully contained.”

London’s mayor Sadiq Khan said in a statement via Twitter that he was in “close contact with the Met Commissioner and local representatives.” He thanked the police, security and emergency services staff. “Terrorists seek to divide us and to destroy our way of life — here in London we will never let them succeed,” he added.

U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson thanked the emergency personnel while saying his thoughts were with those affected.

The police first tweeted that they were looking into an incident at 9:29 a.m. eastern time, and that people should avoid the area.