David Amess, a British Conservative MP, died Friday after being stabbed multiple times, officials said.

Amess, 69, represented Southend West in Essex.

He was assaulted while organizing his “monthly meeting” with voters at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, UK media outlet Sky News reported.

The attack is classified as a terrorist incident and the investigation will be carried out by the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command. Authorities said the first indication was that the attack was linked to Islamist extremism.

Essex Police were called with reports of a stabbing shortly after 12:05 p.m. local time and found a man injured.

“He was treated by the emergency services but, unfortunately, died at the scene,” police said in a statement.

Police said a 25-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder after the stabbing and a knife was found at the scene. Authorities are not looking for any other suspects in the incident.

Amess was first elected to parliament in 1983. He is survived by his wife Julia and five children.

Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons, said in a statement: “This is an incident that will send shock waves through the parliamentary community and across the country.

“I am shocked and deeply moved by the murder of Sir David Amess,” Hoyle added. “‘In the next few days we will have to discuss and review the safety of Members of Parliament and any action to be taken, but for now our thoughts and prayers are with David’s family, friends and colleagues.”

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in a video statement: “I think all of our hearts are filled with shock and deep sadness today… He was one of the nicest, kindest and sweetest people in politics.”

Johnson’s wife Carrie also paid tribute, Tweeter: “Absolutely devastating news about Sir David Amess. He was extremely kind and kind. A huge animal lover and a true gentleman. It is so unfair. Our hearts go out to his wife and their children.

In 2016 Labor MP Jo Cox died after being shot and stabbed in the street outside a public library where she was meeting her constituents in Birstall, West Yorkshire.

His widow, Brendan Cox, shared a tribute as well as to Aswell, saying, “My thoughts and love are with David’s family. They are all that matters now. It brings everything back. The pain, the loss, but also all the love the audience has for us. gave after losing Jo. I hope we can do the same for David now. “