Van Plows Into Pedestrians Near London Mosque Suspect In Custody

Descending into Chaos

Photo credit: The Mirror

Early reports coming out of London have indicated that a van plowed into pedestrians near a high-profile London mosque in Finsbury Park. One man is dead and 10 others were wounded. The deceased male victim was being treated for a heart attack on the sidewalk when the attack occurred. It is not yet known if the attack was responsible for his death.  A 48-year old Caucasian man was taken into custody by London authorities.

The suspect was reportedly pinned to the ground by members of the mosque for at least 20 minutes while they awaited police to arrive. Witnesses at the scene allegedly overheard the attacker shouting “kill me, kill me” and that he wanted to “kill all Muslims.” This is the first attack to be carried out against Muslims in a city that has been plagued by Islamic terrorism for months.

Photo credt: Dialy Mail

Many Londoners fear this attack is the beginning of an inevitable civil war and blame the government for their “lax attitudes” towards Islamic migration and subsequent terror attacks. London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, has been quoted as saying “terror attacks are part and parcel of living in a big city.” Still others, have been quick to blame conservatives for what they call a rise in “Islamophobia” around the globe.

The Imam at the mosque is being heralded as a hero in the aftermath, for having rescued the suspect from young Muslim worshippers who were beating him. Counter-terrorism units are currently investigating the incident. In the wake of the attack, London officials have called for enhanced security at local mosques.

Photo credit: Dialy Mail

Additional reports have posited that there were three people in the van, but those details have not yet been confirmed by the authorities. Mourners have begun leaving flowers and notes outside the mosque. One note condemned the attack as “hideous” and stated “this is NOT who we are.”