London’s Metropolitan Police released a statement Wednesday night (Thursday local time) stating terrorism is being ‘explored’ as the motive behind a mass stabbing at Russell Square in central London that left one dead and several, perhaps five wounded. The suspect was subdued with a Taser and taken into custody on the scene.
UPDATES BELOW
People injured at Russell Square
Aug 04, 2016 01:40 BST
Police were called at 22:33 hours on Wednesday, 3 August to reports of a man seen in possession of a knife injuring people at Russell Square, WC1.
Officers attended the scene along with the London Ambulance Service.
Up to six people were found injured at the location.
A female (no further details) was treated at the scene but was pronounced dead a short time later.
We await an update on the condition of the other persons injured and details of any other injuries.
A man was arrested at 22:39 hours and a Taser was discharged by one of the arresting officers.
Additional police units have been deployed to the area to provide reassurance.
Anyone with information should contact police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
+Terrorism is one possibility being explored at this stage.
A man at a hotel overseeing the scene posted a photo to Twitter:
I think there's been an incident outside the Imperial Hotel on Russell Square in London. :( #London pic.twitter.com/t0plUsWM1p
— Stuart Kenny (@StuartKenny33) August 3, 2016
“I think there’s been an incident outside the Imperial Hotel on Russell Square in London. :( #London”
#BREAKING Police say 'terrorism is possibility' after #russellsquare London knife attack https://t.co/NUx0K41HRw pic.twitter.com/x8BtBdWNAD
— Daily Star (@dailystar) August 4, 2016
“#BREAKING Police say ‘terrorism is possibility’ after #russellsquare London knife attack http://bit.ly/2avCLXJ”
https://twitter.com/RaheemKassam/status/760994203119722496
“Police cordon around Russell Square eyewitnesses report armed police”
Metropolitan police statement
Police were called just after 10.30pm last night [Wednesday] to reports of a man armed with a knife assaulting people at at Russell Square, Camden.
Armed officers arrived at the scene within five minutes. They discharged the Taser while confronting and arresting the suspect.
Six people have been injured, including the one woman who sadly died at the scene and the others have received various injuries. The deceased woman is in her 60s but it would be inappropriate at this time for me to give any more personal details about her.
A 19-year-old man was arrested shortly after 10.39pm and is currently in police custody at hospital.
Early indications suggest mental health is a significant factor in this case and that is one major line of inquiry.
But of course at this stage we should keep an open mind regarding motive and consequently terrorism as a motivation remains but one line of inquiry for us to explore.
At present the Met’s homicide command are investigating the incident but at present are supported by our counterterrorism unit.
As a precautionary measure tomorrow, Londoners will wake up and in the morning they will notice an increased police presence on the streets, including armed officers. This is there to provide reassurance and safety. We ask the public to remain calm and vigilant and alert.
RAW VIDEO: 1 dead and 5 other injured in London knife attack. https://t.co/NafAUnovtU
— The Associated Press (@AP) August 4, 2016
“RAW VIDEO: 1 dead and 5 other injured in London knife attack. http://apne.ws/2amZc1X”
