Former Pupil, 13, Suspected in London School Stabbings, Police Confirm
A 13-year-old former pupil is suspected of stabbing two boys at a secondary school in north-west London, with police stating the attack has not been declared a terrorist incident. The suspect, a British national, was arrested after being seen at a mosque hours after the violent assault at Kingsbury High School in Brent.
Details of the Attack at Kingsbury High School
Two pupils, aged 12 and 13, were left seriously injured during the lunchtime incident on Tuesday. Detective Chief Superintendent Helen Flanagan, from Counter-Terrorism Policing London, provided a detailed account of the events. The suspect arrived at the school around 12.30pm and proceeded to a first-floor classroom.
There, he sprayed a substance towards a pupil, though the liquid is not believed to have been noxious and no injuries resulted from this initial action. The assailant then stabbed a 13-year-old boy in the classroom before fleeing along a hallway and down a flight of stairs. On the ground floor, he stabbed a 12-year-old boy before escaping the premises.
Arrest and Investigation Developments
Police were alerted by a concerned member of the public at approximately 4.50pm regarding a child seen at a mosque in north-west London. Officers swiftly attended the location and arrested the 13-year-old boy on suspicion of attempted murder. He remains in custody as the investigation continues.
Detective Chief Superintendent Flanagan emphasised that there is no indication the suspect had any particular connection to the mosque, suggesting his presence there may have been coincidental. She praised the mosque community for their supportive cooperation with the investigation.
Although counter-terrorism police are leading the inquiry, officers maintain an open mind regarding the motivation behind the attack. Some witnesses reported hearing the suspect shout "Allahu Akbhar" during the assault, while others suggested a personal dispute with one of the victims. Investigators are currently leaning towards a motivation rooted in personal grievance rather than terrorist ideology.
Police Response and Community Impact
The investigation has involved searches across three premises: two addresses connected to the suspect and the mosque where he was apprehended. Police are interviewing approximately 30 to 40 witnesses, many of whom are young pupils from the school. Specialist officers are conducting these sensitive interviews due to the witnesses' ages.
Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams acknowledged the profound distress caused to the local community, describing the incident as "truly shocking." He expressed sympathy for the victims' loved ones, who are receiving special support from officers.
Williams sought to provide reassurance by noting this appears to be an extraordinary one-off event that led to the swift arrest of the suspect. He confirmed there is currently no reason to believe anyone else was involved in the attack. Emergency responders confronted a "deeply upsetting scene" when they arrived at the school.
The incident has raised significant concerns about school safety and youth violence in the London area, with authorities continuing their meticulous investigation to determine the full circumstances surrounding this disturbing event.
