A tent is erected near the scene of an attack in Woolwich southeast London Wednesday, May, 22, 2013. British officials said one person has died and at least two people have been wounded in an attack in southeast London. Scotland Yard said officers responded to reports of an assault Wednesday afternoon in the London neighbourhood of Woolwich. London Ambulance service said one man was found dead at the scene and two other men were taken to the hospital, with one in serious condition. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
A tent is erected near the scene of an attack in Woolwich southeast London Wednesday, May, 22, 2013. British officials said one person has died and at least two people have been wounded in an attack in southeast London. Scotland Yard said officers responded to reports of an assault Wednesday afternoon in the London neighbourhood of Woolwich. London Ambulance service said one man was found dead at the scene and two other men were taken to the hospital, with one in serious condition. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

One man was killed and two other men shot on a street in Woolwich, South London Wednesday, after a brutal knife attack.

Armed police were summoned to the scene after reports that two men had attacked another man with knives, and then left his bloodied corpse in the road, according to the Daily Mail. 

The UK government is reportedly treating the incident as an act of terrorism and has called a meeting of “Cobra,” the country’s emergency response group.

Several news outlets reported that the two attackers shouted “Allahu Akbar” (the Arabic expression meaning “God is Great”) during the murder.

The perpetrators are also believed to have filmed their attack, while asking onlookers if they wanted to take their picture.

The Telegraph reported that the victim was beheaded.

The incident took place in front of the Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich near London and the victim may have been a soldier returning to base.

“These two guys were crazed. They were just animals. They dragged him from the pavement and dumped his body in the middle of the road and left his body there,” said a witness of the attack to LBC radio, according to the BBC. 

Police responded to the attack and then appear to have shot two of the assailants, who may have threatened officers. The two men who were shot are in hospital with serious injuries, according to the Irish Times.

Police Commander Simon Letchford said there would be heightened security in the area and appealed for calm.

“There will continue to be an increased police presence in this area, and the surrounding areas this evening,” he said.

“I am asking people to remain calm, and avoid unnecessary speculation. I will update you again as soon as I am in a position to do so.”

Reports continue to filter in from Twitter on the details of the attack:

This article originally was published at Global Post.

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