A woman was killed and five other people were wounded in a knife attack in central London and the police are exploring the possibility of terrorism, authorities said Wednesday. She has not been identified.
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The statement said one man was arrested and that a police officer used a Taser stun gun.
A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder.
Police are investigating whether the incident was a terrorist attack but said this morning initial reports suggested mental health could also be a major factor.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan urged the public to keep calm and remain vigilant, and encouraged people to be the first line of defence against any form of attack.
The Russell Square incident came within hours of an announcement by London police that they were putting more armed officers on the streets.
“I came out of the Atrium (bar) to have a cigarette, and I saw people standing over there looking at the ground”.
Russell Square resident Constantine Somerville said: “It’s such a safe area and very quiet especially at night – why would somebody commit an attack in such a quiet area?”
Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley told reporters the woman was in her 60s, but gave no other details. They were just in the middle of the street. Initially, the woman was only injured, but she succumbed after help arrived. But she said she was not really scared to go out. We can’t feel insecure all the time, but I do feel safer in other parts of the world.
Rowley said the five injured people are British, American, Israeli and Australian, and none has life-threatening injuries.
Businesses surrounding Russell Square remained closed, with normally busy coffee shops shut to customers as the investigations continued.
In the July 7, 2005 terror attacks in London, one of the suicide bombs which hit the city’s public transport system was detonated on the London Underground between Russell Square and King’s Cross. Detectives from the force’s murder and terrorism squads interviewed the suspect, his family and witnesses and searched properties, and found no evidence of radicalization, Rowley said.
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But it isn’t particularly bustling at night compared with other nearby neighborhoods that are home to more restaurants and bars.
