Hainault sword attack: Boy, 14, killed and four people injured in ‘truly horrific’ London stabbing
Witnesses say man was shouting at police: ‘Do you believe in God?’
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails
Sign up to our free breaking news emails
Sign up to our free breaking news emails
A 14-year-old boy was killed and four others were injured when a sword-wielding man launched a “truly horrific” dawn rampage in a suburban street.
Two police officers underwent surgery for serious wounds after they tried to stop the apparently random attack in Hainault, east London, while two members of the public also remain in hospital. None of their injuries are thought to be life-threatening.
A 36-year-old suspect was cornered by officers and tasered before being arrested on suspicion of murder. He was also taken to hospital, after suffering injuries when his van collided with a house shortly before 7am on Tuesday.
Detectives have confirmed they are not treating the attack as terror-related but have so far been unable to interview the suspect.
A witness said the man was shouting at the police ‘Do you believe in God?’” before being overpowered in a driveway.
Follow our live updates on this breaking incident here.
Chief Superintendent Stuart Bell said the suspect was detained 22 minutes after police were called to the incident.
“It is with great sadness that I confirm that one of those injured in the incident – a 14-year-old boy – has died from their injuries,” he said.
“He was taken to hospital after being stabbed and sadly died a short while after. The events of this morning are truly horrific and I can’t even begin to imagine how those affected are feeling.”
Doorbell camera footage captured the moment police bravely confronted the man, who was wearing a yellow hoodie, and wielding a samurai-style sword.
Witnesses spoke of their horror after he crashed a van into the side of a house before allegedly “lurking” outside front doors armed with the sword.
A terrified neighbour told The Independent he woke to the sound of a “huge crash” and saw the van had ploughed into the side of the house opposite, close to Hainault tube station. Another witness who went to check on the driver was attacked, the neighbour said.
“The driver then got back in his car and reversed out the side of the house to drive up the back road opposite where it all started kicking off. People were running and screaming,” he said. “You can see he stabbed multiple people up this road. He was lurking outside people’s houses wielding a samurai sword.”
“He then walked back down the road whilst people ran and screamed as he was waving his samurai sword threatening civilians and walked past my house.”
James Fernando, 39, who lives in nearby Laing Close, said he saw the teenage victim being struck.
“It’s quite traumatising now,” he said. “I can’t stop envisioning the boy’s face.”
Another witness, Manpreet Singh, said he saw the police taser the suspect at around 7am.
“I saw a group of people, five or six of them, trying to fight off a guy – he had a sword in his hand,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live.
Mr Singh said one of the people fighting off the suspect was injured, while the man – heading towards the station - tried to access a house nearby when he was captured.
“He tried to get into one of the houses but couldn’t get into it and that’s when they tasered him,” he added.
Another resident from Laing Close relived the moment she hid inside her home as the suspect shouted “do you believe in God” outside, while an injured person lay on the ground nearby.
“He was wielding his sword trying to attack the police but then they sprayed him and he ran away,” she said.
“He was shouting at the police ‘do you believe in God?’, also at the ambulance.
“We were very scared and trying to hide and not show ourselves through the window, because he was standing right next to our house and he could have seen us if he looked up.”
Another onlooker fears the teenage victim may have been on his way to school when he was injured.
He told The Independent: “I was woken up by loud shouting outside and then I saw someone stab another kid.
“Then police arrived like crazy. The young man made his way towards the station and I’m not sure what happened there. He had a big sword though and was right outside my door.”
Others hailed the actions of one female police officer who tried to corner the suspect.
Robert Harrison, 71, was woken by screaming and saw the suspect walking past his house in New North Road.
“I saw him walk right past in his orange hoodie,” he said. “There was something wrong with him he was shouting and hollering.
“I normally go for a walk at that time. He was really agitated shouting and swearing ... Loads of people came out to have a go at him.
“There was a policewoman by herself trying to stop him. She was so brave. People criticise the police but she was amazing. He lunged towards her and she sprayed him with something. She was trying to stop him from getting to the train station.”
Assistant Commissioner Louisa Rolfe said investigators have found no trace of a prior incident involving the suspect.
“We know there is speculation about his background, including police contact with him,” she said. “Despite urgent and extensive checks today, we have found no trace of a prior incident involving him so far, but we will of course continue to make those enquiries.”
King Charles, who returned to official duties on Tuesday following cancer treatment, paid tribute the courage of the emergency responders who helped contain the incident.
A spokesperson said: “Following the horrific scenes in Hainault this morning, the King has asked to be kept fully informed as details of the incident become clearer.
“His thoughts and prayers are with all those affected – in particular, the family of the young victim who has lost his life – and he salutes the courage of the emergency services who helped contain the situation.”
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said news of the attack “breaks my heart”.
He said: “This attack is devastating and appalling, and I am sure I speak on behalf of the entire city when I say our thoughts and prayers are with this young child and their family.”
“The police and emergency services were well aware this was a dangerous man with a sword. They ran towards him, not thinking about their own safety to protect members of the public. I thank them for their bravery.”
Wes Streeting, Labour MP for Ilford North, thanked emergency responders and “heroic” Met police officers “who put themselves in harm’s way to protect others” adding: “They are the best of us.”
“I can’t imagine what that poor boy’s family are going through and they have my deepest, heartfelt condolences. My prayers are also with the other victims of this horrific attack and their loved ones,” the MP added.
Rishi Sunak also paid tribute to the bravery of emergency services who responded to the attack, adding: “Such violence has no place on our streets.”