Counter terrorism officers investigate after woman killed and six injured in Russell Square attack

Breaking news this morning. From local newspaper Get West London,  the London Evening Standard and  the Daily Mail

A woman has been killed and six people injured after a mass stabbing took place in Russell Square, Central London on Wednesday (August 3) night.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed to getwestlondon that up to six people, including three women and three men, were found injured in the square at around 10.39pm after “a man was seen in possession of a knife injuring people”.

Officers attended the scene along with the London Ambulance Service and at this stage, have not ruled out terrorism as “one line of enquiry”, although they believe “mental health” to have played a significant impact.

A 19-year-old suspect was arrested six minutes later in Southampton Row after being brought down with a Taser. Dozens of armed police sealed off the square, which is lined with tourist hotels and multi-million pound houses, as paramedics treated the casualties. 

One woman in her 60s was pronounced dead at the scene, which is opposite the Imperial Hotel and near to the British Museum and UCL’s main campus.  The condition of the other five, a woman and four men, is not yet known and police have not yet named or revealed the ages of the victims.

Scotland Yard’s top anti-terror officer Mark Rowley said this morning that the 19-year-old appears to have ‘significant mental health issues’ but admitted terrorism could be a motive. 

The Met will send scores of armed officers on to the streets of the London this morning – including members of its new elite counter-terror unit – to reassure the public and in case there is a new attack.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has called for the public to remain ‘calm and vigilant’ as police investigate the motive for the stabbings. Well he would, wouldn’t he. Must not have the dhimmi sheep revolting. 

Witness Philippa Baglee, who was staying in a hotel , said the man was ‘parading up and down’ in a helmet, suggesting he may have arrived on a motorcycle or moped. There are fears that the knifeman operated with an accomplice as the Met refused to rule out arresting more suspects. One witness said he saw ‘a man flee on a motorbike’.

The attacker has struck at the heart of London’s tourist centre, packed with hotels. At 10.30pm, when he stabbed his victims, the area was full of people who had enjoyed a night in the West End. 

One source said the suspect was seen to go ‘on the rampage’ with the weapon. Another witness said he heard one of the victim’s scream before running over to help them. An eyewitness, who called himself Michael, told MailOnline that he saw a woman – aged around 25 – with blood pouring from her back. He said another woman of the same age was suffering a wounded arm. He said he believed the victims were heard speaking in Spanish.