A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder following a 'sickening' knife attack in north Belfast that left a victim in his 40s with severe injuries to his face, neck, and back. The assault, which occurred on Monday evening, has been described by political leaders as 'medieval mutilation' and has sparked widespread outrage.
Attack Details
Footage of the incident, deemed too graphic for publication, is circulating on social media. It appears to show the attacker pinning the victim to the ground and stabbing him multiple times. The suspect, believed to be a man in his 30s of Somalian origin, was arrested at the scene. Residents intervened, with one person reportedly striking the attacker with a hurling stick to stop the onslaught.
Official Responses
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer condemned the attack, stating: 'The horrific attack in Belfast last night is sickening. I have absolutely no tolerance for abhorrent scenes of violence like this on our streets. My thoughts are first and foremost with the victim, and I thank the first responders, including members of the public who intervened.'
Police Service of Northern Ireland Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson declared the incident a critical investigation: 'This is a deeply concerning assault. We have commenced an investigation to establish a motive. This brutal attack will have sent shockwaves through the community.'
Community Impact
The scene outside an apartment complex off Kinnaird Avenue in the lower Antrim Road area remained cordoned off on Tuesday morning, with markers visible on the ground. DUP leader Gavin Robinson described the attack as 'medieval, barbaric and systematic mutilation of an individual in Belfast,' adding that anyone who saw the footage 'will be unable to unsee it.'
North Belfast MP John Finucane expressed shock and urged anyone with information to come forward. Local DUP councillor Jordan Doran said residents are 'left shocked and deeply concerned' about community safety. He emphasized that 'violence of this nature has no place in North Belfast' and pledged to work with the PSNI to provide reassurance.
Appeal for Information
Police are appealing for witnesses or anyone with dashcam or CCTV footage to contact them. The investigation continues as the victim remains in critical condition in hospital.
