4 killed in "international terrorism-inspired" London attack

4 killed in "international terrorism-inspired" London attack

Four of those injured remain in a critical condition. Among the dead is one police officer, two citizens, and the attacker, who was shot by the police.

The police told reporters that the identity of the attacker would not be announced for the time being, and asked the media "not to mention his name while the investigation is ongoing."

They also did not wish to confirm that he was a British citizen but said he "acted alone and was inspired by international terrorism."

The police confirmed that raids were carried out in six locations in Birmingham and that seven suspects were arrested. The BBC is reporting it learned unofficially that the attacker rented the car in that town.

Islamic State carried out the attack, the terrorist group's Amaq news agency said later on Thursday.

"The perpetrator of the attacks yesterday in front of the British parliament in London is an Islamic State soldier and he carried out the operation in response to calls to target citizens of the coalition," Reuters reported, citing the Amaq statement.

Earlier in the day, British PM Theresa May said that the attacker was "British-born and previously investigated by authorities - but wasn’t seen as part of the current intelligence picture."

In reporting about the incident, the media have paid attention to a message posted on Twitter by the son of US President Donald Trump, Donald Trump Jr.

Referring to a statement the London mayor made last year, he tweeted:

"You have to be kidding me?!: Terror attacks are part of living in big city, says London Mayor Sadiq Khan." Trump Jr. was then accused of using a tragedy to misinterpret what Kahn had said.

President Trump, meanwhile, also took to Twitter to announce that he spoke with Theresa May to offer his condolences.

"She is strong and doing very well," Trump tweeted.