Lone swordsman goes on bloody rampage
Fatal attack on schoolboy and four others uploaded to social media almost in real time
Shortly before 7am, residents of the quiet north-east London neighbourhood of Hainault were awoken by a series of piercing screams and the sound of a van crashing into a home.
During the terrifying 22 minutes that followed, a lone man wielding a sword went on a violent and bloody rampage that culminated in the death of a 14-year-old schoolboy — with his actions filmed by witnesses and uploaded to social media almost in real time.
The teenager, possibly attacked as he walked to school, was among five people — including two police officers — who suffered serious injuries in what is believed to have been a series of random and apparently motiveless attacks. The four survivors were yesterday being treated in hospital.
Footage posted on social media appeared to show officers confronting the attacker as a body lay on the street nearby. Police later pleaded with the public not to share graphic images and videos.
A 36-year-old man who was tasered close to the scene was arrested on suspicion of murder, but was taken to hospital.
Police said the attack was not believed to have been targeted or terror-related.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak paid tribute to the courage of the police officers who tackled the assailant, but stressed that such an incident should never have happened.
“This is a shocking incident. My thoughts are with those affected and their families. I would like to thank the emergency services for their ongoing response and pay tribute to the bravery shown by police on the scene. Such violence has no place on our streets.”
The attack came as new figures showed that knife crime in London has hit a record high, overtaking the previous peak in 2019, when there was also a surge in murders.
It happened shortly before tomorrow’s mayoral election, at which violence in London is expected to be a key issue as Mayor Sadiq Khan’s record comes under scrutiny.
The mayor was challenged over the presence of gangs armed with machetes in the capital by Susan Hall, his Conservative rival, last week but brushed off the concerns, telling her that she should “stop watching The Wire. We’re not living in Baltimore, USA, in the noughties”.
Yesterday, Khan said he was “absolutely devastated” by the events and praised those who had gone to the aid of the wounded.
“The police officers and emergency services showed the best of our city — running towards danger to protect others — and I thank them from the bottom of my heart.”
Following the incident, a Buckingham Palace spokesman said the King’s “thoughts and prayers are with all those affected, in particular the family of the young victim who has lost his life”.
After crashing a grey van in Thurlow Gardens shortly before 7am local time, the assailant, wearing a yellow hoodie, went on his rampage.
After being pursued into an alleyway, he climbed on to garages before making his way through people’s gardens as residents were urged to lock their doors. He was cornered on a driveway, with doorbell camera footage capturing the moment he was tasered, disarmed by a female officer and arrested.
Chief Superintendent Stuart Bell later confirmed that a murder investigation had been launched.
“It is with great sadness that I confirm one of those injured in the incident, a 14-year-old boy, has died from their injuries. He was taken to hospital after being stabbed and sadly died a short while after.”
Bell refused to be drawn on claims by locals that the suspect had previously been arrested by police.
But addressing reporters several hours later, Assistant Commissioner Louisa Rolfe said: “We know there is speculation about his background, including police contact with him. Despite urgent checks of our system today, we have found no trace of a prior incident involving him so far, but we will of course continue to make those inquiries.”
Rolfe said the suspect had been taken to hospital following his arrest after sustaining injuries in the earlier crash. She described it as a “fastmoving, complex incident and investigation”, and said it would take some time to establish all the facts.
“We are really keen to speak to anyone who witnessed this incident or has any relevant information, and would ask they come forward as soon as possible,” she added.
She urged people to think carefully about what they posted on social media, saying: “There are some graphic images circulating online, and people should consider the impact of this on the families and those who are closely affected by this incident.” It is thought the injured police officers were unarmed and tackled the man despite not being equipped with tasers.