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One Dead and Five Injured in Knife Attack in London One Dead and Five Injured in Knife Attack in London
(about 2 hours later)
One person was killed and at least five others were injured on Wednesday night in a knife attack in London, the Metropolitan Police said.One person was killed and at least five others were injured on Wednesday night in a knife attack in London, the Metropolitan Police said.
The police said they were called around 10:30 p.m. about a man with a knife who was attacking people in Russell Square, a park in London. A woman was treated at the scene but was pronounced dead a short time later, the police said. The police said they were called around 10:30 p.m. about a man with a knife who was attacking people in Russell Square, a park in London. A woman in her 60s was treated at the scene but was pronounced dead a short time later, the police said.
Five other people were injured, but details about their conditions and injuries were not immediately available.Five other people were injured, but details about their conditions and injuries were not immediately available.
A man was arrested shortly after officers arrived at the scene, the police said. A stun gun was used by one of the arresting officers. A 19-year-old man was arrested shortly after officers arrived at the scene, the police said. A stun gun was used by one of the arresting officers.
The police said in a statement that “terrorism is one possibility being explored at this stage.” The police said in an initial statement that “terrorism is one possibility being explored at this stage.” A Metropolitan Police official, Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley, later said, “Early indications suggest that mental health is a significant factor in this case,” Reuters reported.
The episode happened just hours after officials announced the start of Operation Hercules, an initiative that included the addition of 600 armed officers to better protect the city against an attack. The episode occurred just hours after officials announced the start of Operation Hercules, an initiative that included the addition of 600 armed officers to better protect the city against an attack.
“The threat level here in London has not changed, but it does remain at severe and especially in light of recent deadly attacks in Europe it is important we are prepared should the unthinkable happen,” Mayor Sadiq Khan of London said in a statement.“The threat level here in London has not changed, but it does remain at severe and especially in light of recent deadly attacks in Europe it is important we are prepared should the unthinkable happen,” Mayor Sadiq Khan of London said in a statement.
“We will see more armed officers on our streets, but there is no reason to be alarmed.”“We will see more armed officers on our streets, but there is no reason to be alarmed.”
The episode on Wednesday night happened near the site of several explosions that struck London on July 7, 2005, which left 52 people dead and more than 700 wounded. Most London police officers do not carry firearms in a country where gun control laws remain far stricter than those in the United States.
The deadliest of the four 2005 explosions was set off in the subway tunnel connecting the King’s Cross and Russell Square Stations. A bus was also bombed near the Russell Square Station. Residents in the area said the police responded quickly. “Thank you so much @metpoliceuk for being so fast, caring and efficient tonight in #russellsquare,” Susanna Cappellaro wrote on Twitter. “I am a resident and I really thank you.”
The police have been on heightened alert in the wake of a series of terrorist attacks in Europe.
“Anyone who’s been following events in Europe over the past few weeks will understand why we want to show our determination to protect the public,” said the Metropolitan Police commissioner, Bernard Hogan-Howe.