London, Apr 30 (EFE).- A 14-year-old boy was killed and four others were injured on Tuesday when a man wielding a sword went on a rampage near a metro station in northeast London.
Among the injured were two police officers, who required hospitalization and surgeries, according to police.
The injured officers are now stable, and the other two individuals are also reported to be in non-serious condition.
A 36-year-old suspect was arrested after the attack, which occurred around 06:00 GMT in Hainault, a neighborhood in northeast London.
The police did not disclose the suspect’s identity. He was Tasered and arrested 22 minutes after the initial call to police.
British law enforcement authorities clarified that they were not seeking any other suspects in connection with the attack and that it was not a terrorism-related incident.
“I want to reiterate that at present we do not believe there is any ongoing threat to the wider community, we are not looking for more suspects and this incident does not appear to be terror-related,” Stuart Bell, a spokesman for the Metropolitan Police, said in a statement.
Bell said law enforcement and emergency services were deployed to assist several victims in Hainault.
“It is with great sadness that I confirm one of those injured, a 14-year-old boy, has died. He was taken to hospital after being stabbed and sadly died shortly afterwards,” Bell said.
“The child’s family are being supported by specially trained officers. Everyone across the Met is keeping them in our thoughts at this unimaginably difficult time.”
Emergency services received reports of a vehicle being driven into a house and multiple people being stabbed in Hainault, according to a statement from the Metropolitan Police.
A video captured by a bystander and aired by British media depicted the alleged perpetrator, a bearded man wearing a yellow hoodie, walking with a large sword resembling a Japanese samurai.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the incident was “shocking.” “Such violence has no place on our streets.”
British Home Secretary James Cleverly urged through the social network X not to speculate or share videos over the internet, but to provide relevant information to the police.
“To hear the 13-year-old victim of this morning’s appalling attack in Ilford has died is heartbreaking,” Cleverly wrote.
“This will be an incredibly challenging time for the local community and my thoughts remain with all those affected.” EFE
vg-ssk
