LONDON: A teenage boy died on Tuesday after a man wielding a sword stabbed the youth in a street attack in east London, police said. The assailant also injured two police officers and two other persons before being subdued and taken into custody by authorities.
The incident unfolded shortly before 7:00 am, with the perpetrator brandishing what appeared to be a Samurai-type sword. Police swiftly responded to the scene, deploying Taser stun weapons to apprehend the 36-year-old suspect. While the motive behind the attack remains unclear, authorities have ruled out any connection to terrorism.
Chief Superintendent Stuart Bell of London’s Metropolitan Police confirmed that all five victims were hospitalized following the assault. The two injured police officers were slated for surgery due to the severity of their wounds, although none of the injuries sustained by the victims were deemed life-threatening.
Tragically, the 13-year-old boy succumbed to his injuries shortly after being admitted to the hospital. Bell described the incident as “truly horrific” and assured that specialized support was being provided to the bereaved family.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak condemned the violence, emphasizing that such acts have no place in society. He commended the bravery of the emergency services personnel who responded to the scene.
Eyewitness accounts painted a harrowing picture of the chaos that unfolded during the attack. Residents recounted moments of fear and uncertainty as they sought refuge while the suspect roamed the streets, brandishing the deadly weapon and shouting alarming statements.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan expressed profound sadness over the tragedy, praising the courage of the police officers and emergency responders who risked their lives to protect others. The mayor assured the public that he was closely monitoring the situation in coordination with law enforcement authorities.
The incident reignited concerns over knife crime in the British capital, with recent statistics indicating a troubling increase in such offenses.
