Woolwich Attack: Lee Rigby Named As Victim-BBC

Drummer Rigby

The soldier killed in an attack on a London street has been named as Drummer Lee Rigby of the 2nd Battalion the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.

Drummer Rigby, 25, from Manchester, leaves behind a two-year-old son.

Two men are under arrest in hospital after police shot them near Woolwich Barracks on Wednesday afternoon, in the aftermath of the attack.

The suspects, believed to include Michael Adebolajo, were known to security services, sources have said.

The victim's name was announced by the Ministry of Defence pending formal police identification.

"An extremely popular and witty soldier, Drummer Rigby was a larger than life personality within the Corps of Drums and was well known, liked and respected across the Second Fusiliers," the MoD statement said.

Commanding officer Lt Col Jim Taylor said of Drummer Rigby: "An experienced and talented side drummer and machine gunner, he was a true warrior and served with distinction in Afghanistan, Germany and Cyprus."

Capt. Alan Williamson said: "Drummer Rigby or 'Riggers' as he was known within the platoon was a cheeky and humorous man, always there with a joke to brighten the mood."

Speaking outside 10 Downing Street on Thursday, Prime Minister David Cameron said the attacks were "solely and purely" the responsibility of the individuals involved.

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said: "We are not going to be cowed by this kind of terrorist action."

"Everyone in defence is shocked and saddened by the events of yesterday," Mr Hammond said more than 24 hours after the killing.

"This was a senseless murder of a soldier who has served the Army faithfully in a variety of roles including operational tours in Afghanistan. Our thoughts today are with his family and loved ones who are trying to come to terms with this terrible loss."

Mr Hammond was asked if the attack showed how vulnerable soldiers were, whether they were in uniform or not.

He replied: "I think it reminds us how vulnerable we all are, but it also reminds us, by the response of the public, that we are not going to be cowed by this kind of terrorist action."

Shortly after the killing a man, thought to be 28-year-old Mr Adebolajo, was filmed by a passer-by, saying he carried out the attack because British soldiers killed Muslims every day.

Sources said reports the men had featured in "several investigations" in recent years - but were not deemed to be planning an attack - "were not inaccurate".

They confirmed one of the suspects was intercepted by police last year while leaving the country.

According to BBC sources, Mr Adebolajo, a Briton of Nigerian descent, comes from a devout Christian family but took up Islam after leaving college in 2001.

The Metropolitan Police said police officers arrived within nine minutes of the first 999 call and armed officers were there within 14 minutes
An increased police presence will be in Woolwich and the surrounding areas through Thursday night and "as long as needed", Assistant Commissioner for Specialist Crime and Operations Mark Rowley said Properties in Greenwich and Saxilby, Lincolnshire, have been searched in connection with the attack

With dozens of witnesses to the killing, police are urging them to contact the Met's anti-terrorism hotline with information Chief of Defence Staff General Sir David Richards said: "It's always a tragedy, it's particularly poignant that it happened on the streets of this capital city of ours.

"We're absolutely determined not to be intimated into not doing the right thing - whether it's here in this country or in Afghanistan or wherever we seek to serve the nation."

Security at Woolwich Barracks and others in London has been increased, and Gen Richards said: "I'm confident that base security is as tight as it's every been, and necessarily so.

"It's a very difficult balancing act. We are very proud of the uniform we wear, we have huge support around the country, this is a completely isolated incident."

Mr. Cameron highlighted the actions of cub scout leader Ingrid Loyau-Kennett, who spoke to one man holding a knife, saying it demonstrated that "confronting extremism is a job for us all".

"When told by the attacker he wanted to start a war in London, she replied, 'You're going to lose. It is only you versus many.' She spoke for us all," Mr Cameron said.

BBC defence correspondent Caroline Wyatt said that since British forces intervened in Iraq and Afghanistan, they and their families have been well aware they might be targets at home.

At least two plots by Islamist extremists to kill soldiers in the UK have been foiled in recent years.