A man wielding a sword attacked members of the public and police officers in an east London suburb early Tuesday, killing a 13-year-old boy and injuring four others, authorities said. A 36-year-old man was arrested in a residential area near Hainault underground station, police said. The incident is not being treated as terror-related or a "targeted attack."
Chief Superintendent Stuart Bell, from London's Metropolitan Police, said all five victims were taken to hospital. The two police officers were awaiting surgery for "significant" injuries, he added. But they, and those sustained by the two members of the public, were not believed to be life-threatening.
"It's with great sadness that one of those injured in this incident, a 13-year-old boy, has died from their injuries," he told reporters at the scene. "He was taken to hospital after being stabbed and sadly died a short while after."
The Metropolitan Police said they were called early Tuesday to reports of a vehicle being driven into a house in a residential street and people being stabbed close to the Hainault underground station. Video on British media showed a man in a yellow hoodie holding a long sword or knife walking near houses in the area. Witnesses say they heard police shouting to the suspect urging him to put down the weapon as they chased after him.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the incident was "shocking," adding: "Such violence has no place on our streets." London Mayor Sadiq Khan said he was "absolutely devastated" by the incident and was in close contact with the city police commissioner.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan said police do not believe there is a threat to the wider community. "We are not looking for more suspects," he said. "This incident does not appear to be terror-related."
Transport for London said Hainault underground station was closed due to a police investigation in the area.