Murder of David Amess

On 15 October 2021, Sir David Amess, a British Conservative Party politician and Member of Parliament (MP) for Southend West, was assassinated by a 25-year-old Ali Harbi Ali in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex.

The incident was the first killing of a sitting British MP since the murder of Jo Cox in June 2016.

Background
David Amess was a British Conservative politician, between 1983 and 1997. He was the member of the House of Commons for Basildon and from 1997 until his death. He was also a member of the House of Commons for Southend West.

Amess was a strong supporter of Brexit.

Assassination
On 15 October 2021, Amess was at a constituency surgery at Belfairs Methodist Church on Eastwood Road North, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex. He was scheduled to meet with people from 10:00 to 13:00 BST. He first met with citizens on the steps of the church and entered the building at around 12:05 to speak with people who had arrived earlier. Inside the church, a man holding a knife broke out from the group and stabbed him multiple times.

An air ambulance landed on a playing field to take Amess to hospital; however his condition was critical where he was dead on arrival.

Motive
At around 00:30 on 16 October, police said the stabbing was a terrorist incident. They said it was caused by Islamic extremism.

Suspect
Ali Harbi Ali, a 25-year-old British citizen of Somali ethnicity who lives in London, was arrested by police at the scene. On 21 October 2021, Ali was charged with murder and attempt terrorism.Sir David Amess: Ali Harbi Ali charged with murder of MP

Reactions
The UK terror threat level was raised from substantial to severe after this attack and the Liverpool Women's Hospital bombing.

References

Category:2021 crimes in the United Kingdom
Category:2020s in England
Category:October 2021 events
Category:Terrorist incidents in 2021
Category:Terrorist incidents in England