Gunman opens fire outside mosque after being chased out by worshippers during Ramadan prayers in east London
- Police said there was a ‘firearm discharge’ at the Seven Kings Mosque in Ilford
- Onlookers said a gunman entered the religious building before being chased out
- He fired a gun once during Ramadan prayers, according to bystanders
A mosque was on lockdown and armed police were deployed after a gunshot rang out during Ramadan prayers last night.
Metropolitan Police confirmed there was a ‘firearm discharge’ at the Seven Kings Mosque in Ilford, east London.
According to onlookers, a gunman entered the religious building before being chased out and shooting what is thought to be a blank firing handgun once.
Footage on social media shows a mosque is on lockdown after a shot was fired during Ramadan prayers
Police at the cordon outside the moasque, after a gunman was reported to have opened fire
Officers at the scene outside the Seven Kings mosque in east London, after shot was fired
The Metropolitan Police confirmed there was a ‘firearm discharge’ at the Seven Kings Mosque (pictured) in Ilford, East London
A large police presence was deployed at around 10.45pm on Thursday and will remain at the scene overnight.
No injuries or damage were caused and the incident is not being treated as terrorism-related, Scotland Yard said.
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Several social media users said the alleged armed man had his face covered upon entering the mosque.
Worshipper Abdul Ahad wrote on Facebook: ‘A man with fully covered face entered the masjid during taraweeh prayers. Alhamdulillah no one injured or hurt, but one shot was fired and unfortunately he ran away.’
A large police presence was deployed at around 10.45pm and will remain at the scene overnight
Several social media users said the alleged armed man had his face covered upon entering the mosque
Another said: ‘Was just informed that a man wearing balaclavas entered Seven Kings Mosque in London with a gun and fired a shot.'
One worshipper wrote on Twitter that he was in the mosque at the time the shot was fired, adding: ‘During Taraweeh a guy entered the mosque with a gun.
‘Whilst praying I heard the sound of a loud bang. He was chased out by management, but ran away and still not found by the police.’
Another worshipper tweeted that he heard the shot being fired but ‘thought it was a firework or something’.
One worshipper wrote on Twitter that he was in the mosque at the time the shot was fired, adding: ‘During Taraweeh a guy entered the mosque with a gun'
Metropolitan Police said: 'At this early stage, it is thought that the weapon was a blank firing handgun.'
Metropolitan Police said: 'At this early stage, it is thought that the weapon was a blank firing handgun.
'There were no injuries or damage caused. The incident is not being treated as terrorism-related.'
They added: 'Officers will continue to work closely with representatives from the mosque and are providing reassurance to the local community.
'Anyone with information is asked to contact officers via 101 quoting ref: 8585/09May'
The incident took place place during prayers for the month-long religious celebration of Ramadan, when Muslims fast from dawn until sunset.
The Met police on Twitter said that a 'large police presence will remain in the area overnight'
MP for Ilford North, Wes Streeting, took to Twitter following the incident and said: 'Thank you to @MPSRedbridge for a swift response. I will in touch with Police in the morning re: mosque security.'
MP for Ilford North, Wes Streeting, took to Twitter following the incident and said: 'I am aware of the reports of a man with a firearm at Seven Kings Mosque during prayers tonight and am relieved that no one appears to have been hurt or injured.
'Thank you to @MPSRedbridge for a swift response. I will in touch with Police in the morning re: mosque security.'
In an earlier statement, Scotland Yard said: ‘Police were called at 10.45pm to reports that a man, believed to be in possession of a firearm, had entered a mosque on High Road in Seven Kings.
‘The man was ushered outside of the building by those inside. A gunshot was then heard.
‘Officers, including firearms officers, attended. There were no reported injuries. There have been no arrests and enquiries continue.'
‘A large police presence remains at the scene. The Trident and Area Crime Command will be informed.’
The incident comes amid heightened concerns over security at places of worship around the world.
A mass shooting at a mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand, in march left 50 people dead, while a woman was killed when a gunman opened fire at a synagogue in California in April.
