Khalid Masood, who attacked Britain’s Parliament, killing four people and wounding some 50, was born Adrian Russell Ajao, London’s top counterterror officer said Friday.
READ MORE: What we know about Khalid Masood, the British-born man behind the London attack
Mark Rowley revealed the name in a briefing outside Scotland Yard in which he also announced two more “significant” arrests had been made. That brings the total number of people in custody for the Wednesday attack to nine.
WATCH: Scotland Yard announces 2 more arrests; 9 people in custody
“We remain keen to hear from anyone who knew Khalid Masood well, understands who his associates were and can provide us with information about places he has recently visited,” Rowley said. “There might be people out there who did have concerns about Masood but did not feel comfortable for whatever reason in passing those concerns to us.”
READ MORE: What we know about the London attack victims
The 52-year-old attacker was born in southeastern England and had most recently been living in the central city of Birmingham.
Masood drove his car into crowds of people on Westminster Bridge on Wednesday afternoon, killing three and wounding some 50, before stabbing a police officer to death at the Houses of Parliament. He was shot dead by police.
Rowley said two police officers targeted in the attack have significant injuries. Two other people also remain in critical condition, one with life-threatening injuries.
WATCH: Police say 75-year-old victim has succumbed to his injuries
The latest victim, who died in the hospital on Thursday, was 75-year-old Leslie Rhodes from Streatham, south London.
Metropolitan Police said they have made contact with some 3,500 witnesses, including 1,000 people who were on or around Westminister Bridge at the time of the attack.
Rowley maintained there would be a visible police presence around the city over the next few days, but reiterated that “London is open for business.”
READ MORE: London terror attack: Police say 75-year-old victim has succumbed to his injuries
“Last night a true cross section of people came together to stand together to remember – but also to send a message. A strong message – to those inspired by hate and extremism of all persuasions that we will not give in to those who seek to breed discord and fear,” he said.
More details surrounding Masood also emerged Friday.
The manager of a hotel where he stayed the night before the attack said he seemed unusually outgoing and mentioned details about his family, including having a sick father.
“He was normal, in fact friendly, because we spent possibly five or 10 minutes talking to him about his background and where he came from,” Sabeur Toumi told Sky News Friday.
Police raided the room at the Preston Park Hotel in Brighton after the attack, searching for clues about Khalid Masood, who was identified Friday by his prior name, Adrian Russell Ajao. Toumi said Masood checked in under his own name and mentioned having a couple of children, as well as troubles with an ailing father. Among the items seized were the trouser press and the toilet paper holder.
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The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for Wednesday’s attack. Police believe Masood acted alone, but Rowley said police are investigating whether he “acted totally alone inspired by terrorist propaganda, or if others have encouraged, supported or directed him.”
Further details of the aftermath of the rampage continued to emerge.
A former British army officer told the BBC on Friday that rescuers held the hand of Constable Keith Palmer and talked to him as they tried in vain to save his life after he was stabbed during the attack on Parliament.
Mike Crofts, a former army captain who served in Afghanistan, said he was in the courtyard outside the Houses of Parliament following a meeting with politicians about using boxing to engage young men when the attack took place.
“I rushed towards the scene,” he said, and began first aid with another person in civilian clothes, who turned out to be Staff Sgt. Tony Davis, one of Crofts’ instructors at Sandhurst, Britain’s military academy. Ultimately, there were 20 to 30 people working to save the officer’s life.
“Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, we were unable to save him,” Crofts said. “(Police Constable) Palmer at the time was surrounded by a whole host of colleagues who really loved him. We held his hand through the experience. We talked to him throughout, but unfortunately he passed away.”
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