Gunman Opens Fire Outside Mosque In London During Ramadan Prayers

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.

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.

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.’

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.’