London in shock after a sword attack. A teenager killed, and four injured
On Tuesday, April 30, near Hainault underground station in northeast London, a man armed with a sword attacked bystanders. Tragically, a 13-year-old boy was killed, and four other individuals sustained injuries. The police promptly arrested a 36-year-old suspect.
6:53 AM EDT, May 1, 2024
Around 1 AM ET, London police were alerted to a man armored with a sword rampaging through the streets of the city's northeast, assaulting individuals he encountered at random.
The assailant, a 36-year-old man, harmed five people: three passersby and two police officers. Among those attacked was a young boy whose injuries, inflicted by the sword, proved fatal.
“It is with great sadness that I confirm that one of the people injured in this incident – a 14-year-old boy – has died as a result of his injuries. He was taken to hospital after being stabbed and sadly he died shortly afterwards,” - said Metropolitan Police Chief Inspector Stuart Bell.
Detailed Account of the Attack and the Assailant's Capture
The police captured the 36-year-old attacker merely minutes after being informed of the chaos. British media report that the other four victims are currently receiving medical treatment at hospitals.
At present, the accused is being held in custody. His arrest occurred just before 2 AM ET, where he was subdued using a Taser. The apprehension came about 22 minutes after the initial report was made to the police.
Mayor's Response and the Community's Reaction
In light of the tragedy, Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, shared his condolences and called for vigilance among the city's residents.
“I'm sure I speak on behalf of the entire city when I say our thoughts and prayers are with this young child and his family,” - Sadiq Khan conveyed to Sky News.
The incident sparked a fervent discussion on the X platform. Londoners are questioning when the police will be equipped with actual firearms for their interventions. It is noted that Metropolitan Police officers in England are not issued firearms but are only equipped with batons.
