London Attacker Khalid Masood Tied to Islamic Extremism; Killed Four, Injured Over 40 (UPDATED)

1:05 p.m.: Yesterday’s attacker has been identified by British authorities as 52 year old Khalid Masood, who was born in the United Kingdom. He was an ex-convict known to MI5 but was deemed a “peripheral figure” in radical Islam; however, ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attack and called Masood a “soldier of the Islamic State.”

Masood was previously convicted on non-terrorism crimes including grievous bodily harm and possession of a knife. He was living in Birmingham before renting an SUV in order to carry out the attack. According to the New York Times, the investigation is now searching for anyone else who may have been involved:

The British authorities raided six properties across the country on Thursday, detaining eight people in London and in Birmingham, in central England, as they pressed ahead with a fast-moving investigation.

British authorities do not expect other attacks, and they also had no prior leads on this attack. This has led to Masood being characterized as a “lone wolf,” although he was known to British counterintelligence.

Before being shot and killed by the British defense minister’s protection officer, Masood killed three and injured over 40, including three French schoolchildren and people from America, South Korea, Ireland, Greece, Germany, Italy, Romania, and China.

6:07 p.m.: U.K. prime minister Theresa May called upon her countrymen to carry on as normal in a short speech following the terrorist attack in London today:

1:01 p.m.: Chambers of Parliament are in lockdown after an attack in London where a man driving a Hyundai drove into pedestrians, killing at least one, and then stabbed a police officer. The attacker was then shot by police.

Scotland Yard commander B.J. Harrington addressed reporters moments ago to confirm that a full counter-terrorism investigation is underway. He also confirmed that the attacker had a knife, and that officers with firearms engaged him. He stressed repeatedly that he would not speculate further.

He also named various parts of London that people should avoid. “This is to allow emergency services to deal with the incident,” he said. He also asked anyone with images or film of the incident to share them immediately.

Security is ramping up all over the city, especially where there are government officials. We will update the Corner as the story develops.