Terrorism is being examined as a potential motive for a knife rampage at Russell Square, central London, that left one woman dead and five others injured.
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Londoners woke up Thursday to a heavier police presence on their streets after the attack in the heart of the city.
Rowley added that the attack was triggered by mental health issues and is being treated as the primary line of inquiry in the investigation.
The American woman – who is believed to be in her 60s – died at the scene. Among the five who were injured, three were discharged from the hospital while two were confined for additional treatment.
The officials also said one injured victim appears to be American.
Two other women and three men received various injuries in the attack, Scotland Yard said.
Chief supt Tarrant said there was no indication a such an attack, but added: “We are encouraging everyone to be vigilant and report anything to us”.
A 19-year-old Norwegian citizen of Somali origin was arrested on suspicion of being the murderer.
Rowley said the suspect, whose name hasn’t been released, is a Norwegian of Somali ancestry – though police don’t consider that “relevant to the motivation for his actions”.
Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley told reporters police believed the attack was “spontaneous” and the victims “selected at random”.
“We would urge the public to remain calm, alert and vigilant”, Rowley said.
“The old lady had been stabbed in the back”, he said. Authorities told the BBC News that there is now no evidence that the man was radicalized. He was taken to a hospital then was sent to a south London police station.
The Telegraph reports that a man called in to BBC Radio London with a conflicting account of the attack.
“They said that when he stabbed the people he didn’t shout or scream anything”, he told the paper.
US Ambassador to the UK Matthew Barzun confirmed earlier in the day that a female victim of a deadly knife attack in London was an American citizen.
Police guard Russell Square following a knife attack in London, Thursday, Aug. 4, 2016.
Armed officer attended within five minutes and used a stun gun to subdue the suspect. A key part of the rationale for a lightly armed police force, however, has been the ability to keep British criminals lightly armed, as well. The idea was to sustain public confidence following attacks by Islamic State-inspired groups in Europe.
Though it’s located in central London – which is usually busy on summer nights – Russell Square isn’t particularly bustling when compared to other nearby neighborhoods, which are home to more restaurants and bars.
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On 7 July, 2005, a suicide bomb was exploding on the London Underground between Russell Square and King’s Cross, hit the city of London.
