UK MP David Amess's Death by Stabbing Declared a 'Terrorist Incident'

The police have arrested one man in connection to the killings, and are currently not pursuing any other suspects.

Sir David Amess, a Member of the British Parliament. 

(Photo courtesy: Twitter)

David Amess, a Member of Parliament (MP) from the Conservative Party, was fatally stabbed multiple times on Friday, 15 October, in a church in Essex, news agency Reuters reported.

Amess, 69, had represented Southend West. He had been attending a meeting with his constituents when he was attacked at the Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea.

Even though emergency services rushed to the spot, the MP's life couldn't be saved.

"The early investigation has revealed a potential motivation linked to Islamist extremism," the Metropolitan Police has said, BBC reported.

"The fatal stabbing in Leigh-on-Sea has tonight been declared as a terrorist incident, with the investigation being led by Counter Terrorism Policing," the Met further stated.

A 25-year-old British man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder. The Met believes that the man, who is being kept in custody in Essex, was acting alone. Further investigation is underway.

Government sources have told the BBC that the suspect is a British national who appears to have Somali heritage.

Sir Keir Starmer, the current leader of the Labour Party and the Leader of the Opposition, had expressed his shock over the incident on Twitter.

(With inputs from Reuters and BBC.)