2/3/2020
By Ivan Pereira
Police officers shot and killed a man who was recently released from prison on terrorism offenses after he allegedly stabbed two people Sunday, London police said.
Sudesh Amman, 20, allegedly stole a knife from a shop as he was being pursued by the officers and attacked a man and woman at Streatham High Road, Lambeth, around 2 p.m. local time. Cops then opened fire, killing him on the spot, according to the London police.
The male victim suffered life-threatening injuries while the second victim’s injuries weren’t life threatening. Both were taken to local hospitals, according to Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Lucy D’Orsi.
On Monday, officials said the male victim’s condition was upgraded to stable and the two other victims were released from the hospital.
Another woman received minor injuries from glass that was believed to have come following the police gunshots. She was treated at the scene and taken to the hospital, according to police.
The incident was fully contained by 4 p.m., according to the police. Investigators said they found a device strapped to Amman’s body under his clothes, but it ultimately turned out to be a hoax device.
London police officials said armed officers part of a counterterrorism surveillance operation were following Amman during the day before the stabbing took place. In 2018, he pleaded guilty to 13 counts related to the dissemination of terrorist material and obtaining material related to a possible act of terrorism, the police said.
He was sentenced to three years and four months imprisonment, but he was released from custody on Jan. 23, according to police.
“Revealing details of this surveillance operation could undermine police tactics used to investigate terrorists and other criminals across the UK, so it is right that we do not expand on this further at this time,” the Metropolitan Police said in a statement. “We are confident that this is an isolated incident that has been contained.”
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said he was in contact with the Metropolitan Police commissioner and other personnel.
“Terrorists seek to divide us and to destroy our way of life here in London we will never let them succeed,” he said in a statement.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson also tweeted a statement thanking first responders.
“My thoughts are with the injured and all those affected,” he tweeted.
D’Orsi said there will be enhanced police patrols and urged the public to send any information, photos or videos related to the incident to their office.
ABC News’ Christine Theodorou and Rashid Haddou contributed to this report.
