A 13-year-old boy was arrested on Tuesday (Feb 10) following a stabbing attack at Kingsbury High School in Brent, north-west London, that left two children critically injured and fighting for their lives. The incident, which is being investigated as a suspected terror attack, occurred when the teenage suspect allegedly pulled out a knife and stabbed his victims while shouting ‘Allahu Akbar,’ according to witness accounts.
Details of the Attack
The violent incident unfolded on Tuesday afternoon when a 13-year-old student pulled out a knife and stabbed another 13-year-old in the neck and back. Moments later, he attacked a 12-year-old boy as horrified classmates looked on. According to the Daily Mail, citing witnesses, the attacker was shouting ‘Allahu Akbar’ (‘God is greatest’ in Arabic) during the assault.
Following the attack, the knife-wielding teenager fled the scene but was located and apprehended approximately an hour later after being found hiding nearby. He has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
Reports indicate the attacker was 13 years old and was not a pupil at Kingsbury High School, where he carried out the stabbing. How he managed to enter the school premises with a concealed weapon remains unclear.
The suspect’s identity has not been disclosed due to his status as a minor. Counter Terrorism police have assumed control of the investigation amid concerns the attack may have been ideologically motivated. However, authorities have not yet formally classified the incident as a terrorist attack. Officers are continuing to conduct searches connected to the suspect. The Daily Mail reports that numerous witnesses, predominantly young children, were kept at the school for several hours as part of the investigation.
Condition of the Victims
The identities of the victims have not been released. According to reports, both injured boys, aged 12 and 13, were in life-threatening condition at the hospital.
Speaking to the press, Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams stated that police were “keeping an open mind as to any motivation behind the attack.” He added that the attacker fled the scene after the stabbing but “After urgent inquiries, our officers arrested him and also recovered a weapon which we believe to have been used in the stabbing.” He was “arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and remains in custody for questioning by our officers.”
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