In a shocking incident on Monday morning, an 11-year-old girl and her 34-year-old mother were stabbed in Leicester Square, a popular tourist destination in London.
The attack, which occurred around midday, has sparked concern and a swift response from law enforcement.
The victims were rushed to a nearby hospital soon thereafter. As per the latest report given by the police, the girl suffered multiple injuries, but the injuries were not fatal. Her mother also had relatively less serious injuries inflicted on her body.
The police have warned that for the time being it has not been established that the act was perpetrated in connection to terrorism.
A suspect, a 32-year-old man was arrested on the scene and is still in police custody. Law enforcement agencies have said they do not think that there are more suspects to be apprehended. Footage going around on social media has a suspect dressed in a white “Abbey Road” T-shirt, being arrested.
The area of the shooting was later barricaded using police strings at about 1:30 p.m. One of the victims was identified as Abdullah, a 29-year-old security worker at a nearby tea shop who said that he saw people get attacked, and rushed to help the victims.
He described how he tackled the attacker, kicked the knife away, and helped restrain him until the police arrived. Abdullah’s brave actions were later praised by Detective Chief Superintendent Christina Jessah.
However, even after the attack, people went on flocking to Leicester Square to continue their sightseeing, while some of them simply watched the escalation of the situation and a police helicopter circling above them.
Detective Chief Superintendent Jessah acknowledged the efforts of local workers and the public, stating, “They put themselves at risk and showed the best of London in doing so.” She also confirmed that the investigation is continuing and that police are working to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the attack.
