August 05-A 19-year-old Norwegian national of Somali origin with mental health issues was arrested on Thursday after he went on an overnight stabbing spree in London’s Russell Square, killing a woman in her 60s and injuring five others.
Advertisement
Yovel Lewkowski, 18, who was visiting London from Tel Aviv was stabbed in the upper arm. Commissioner Mark Rowley said, “This was a tragic incident resulting in the death of one woman and five others being injured”.
He is said to be suffering possible “mental health issues”.
Rowley said the investigation is pending, but the police believe the victims-from Australia, the United States, Israel, and the United Kingdom-were chosen at random. Earlier media reports had suggested one of the wounded was a Spanish national but Rowley made no mention of any Spanish victims.
An eyewitness named as Fernando, from Brazil, told Sky News he saw a Spanish family providing assistance to the victims, including a woman in her 60s who suffered a fatal stab wound to her back. A second woman and four men sustained “various injuries”, police said, none life-threatening. According to Scotland Yard officials, the attacker has no connection with radicalization or terrorist groups.
“Terrorism is one possibility being explored at this stage”, Metropolitan police said in a statement.
“A Taser (electric stun gun) was discharged during the arrest of the suspect, a 19-year-old man”. Additional police units have been deployed to the area to “provide reassurance”, police said.
The five people who were injured in the attack were American, British, Australian and Israeli, police said.
“I urge all Londoners to remain calm and vigilant…”
Anyone with information about the Russell Square attack is asked to contact police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Advertisement
The Russell Square incident came within hours of an announcement by London police that they were putting more armed officers on the streets. “We all have a vital role to play as eyes and ears for our police and security services”, Khan said.
