British lawmaker Sir David Amess was murdered in a knife attack that occurred at a constituency meeting on Friday in Leigh-on-Sea, east of London.
The member of Boris Johnson’s Conservative party succumbed to multiple knife wounds after being stabbed a number of times.
Sir David, who was 69, represented Southend West in Essex in the British Parliament.
A man who walked into a constituents’ meeting, held in a Methodist church in Leigh-on-Sea attacked the MP, according to a Reuters report, quoting a witness to the incident.
“He was treated by emergency services but, sadly, died at the scene,” the Essex police told the press, adding “A 25-year-old man was quickly arrested after officers arrived at the scene on suspicion of murder and a knife was recovered.”
There are now a number of police officers outside the church and an air ambulance is at the church where the meeting was held.
Multiple streets have been closed off as the investigation into the assassination continues.
This is the second murder of a British lawmaker in just five years, after Labour MP Jo Cox was killed, also in her constituency, in 2016.
Great Britain is in shock once again after the fatal stabbing.
Keir Starmer, the leader of the main opposition Labour Party, wrote on Twitter: “Horrific and deeply shocking news. Thinking of David, his family and his staff.”
Former British Prime Minister David Cameron told the press that Amess was “a kind and thoroughly decent man” and “the most committed MP you could ever hope to meet.”
“Words cannot adequately express the horror of what has happened today. Right now, my heart goes out to David’s family,” Cameron said.
Former PM Theresa May stated that the news was “heartbreaking” and “a tragic day for our democracy.”
She described Amess as “a decent man and respected parliamentarian, killed in his own community while carrying out his public duties.”
Flags outside Parliament have already been lowered to half staff after Amess’ death.
A 25-year-old man has now been taken into custody in the stabbing of the politician and the knife has been recovered. Police authorities say they are not searching for any other suspects at this time.
This is a developing story
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