The London Police authorities said a man, wielding a sword, has murdered a teenager and wounded four other people in a violent assault, on Tuesday, in northeast London.
Several videos and still photos circulating on social media depicted an individual donning a yellow hoodie. He was brandishing a sword resembling a katana, as he navigates through the neighbourhood.
Authorities dispatched police officers to the scene, following reports of a car crashing into a residence, along with an individual assaulting members of the public with a sword, close to Hainault Tube station.
Officers apprehended the attacker. It is not known yet whether the attack was linked to terrorism.
The authorities classified the attack as a “grave incident,” reporting that the perpetrator tried to assault two police officers as well.
The London Ambulance Service team also reported it provided medical care to five individuals at the location and transported all of them to the hospital.
A Police Chief Superintendent later announced that a 13-year-old boy, who was among those injured, succumbed to his wounds in the hospital.
He also confirmed that two of the victims were police officers who had responded to the call. He stated that although both officers needed surgery, their present state is stable and not considered critical.
The authorities identified the suspect, currently in their custody, as a 36-year-old male.
They have assured the public that there is no imminent danger to the broader community. Furthermore, they confirmed there is no active search for additional suspects.
According to the officials, this particular incident does not seem to be connected to any acts of terrorism.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, expressed his deep sorrow upon hearing the news from Hainault.
He also commended the officers for their bravery in confronting danger and safeguarding the public, emphasising that extra patrols had been dispatched to the area by the police.
British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, has also condemned the stabbing incident as “appalling” and asserted that such acts of violence are unacceptable in the communities. (eTurboNEws)
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