Terrorism Begets Terrorism: White Man in Van Plows into Pedestrians Near London Mosque

A man driving a van plowed into a crowd of pedestrians near a Muslim community center in north London in what police are treating as a terrorist attack.

The Muslim Council of Britain said the attack, which occurred shortly after midnight on Monday morning, came as worshipers were leaving the nearby Finsbury Park Mosque, which was ending late-night prayers for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

One man was declared dead at the scene, though police said it was unclear if he was killed by the van. Ten others were hurt, with police saying two had suffered life-threatening injuries. All the victims were Muslim, police said.

A 48-year-old white man was arrested, said police, who were called to the area at 21 minutes after midnight after receiving reports of a vehicle hitting pedestrians on Seven Sisters Road. Several witnesses to the attack said the man, who was detained by locals until police arrived, shouted: “I want to kill Muslims”.

The incident comes just two weeks after three Islamists drove a van through pedestrians near London Bridge in south-east London; the knife-wielding attackers went on a rampage, killing eight and injuring 48. Neil Basu, deputy assistant commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, said no knives were used in the Finsbury Park attack. (via FinancialTimes.com)