The suspect in the Golders Green terror attack was residing in supported housing designed for individuals transitioning from secure hospitals before he allegedly carried out a stabbing spree, it has been revealed.
Court Appearance
Essa Suleiman, 45, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Friday, charged with three counts of attempted murder. The Somalian-born British national, who arrived in the UK legally as a child in the 1990s, was seen in the dock with a bloodshot eye and facial bruising. He wore a grey prison tracksuit and spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth.
The court heard that Suleiman was staying at an address in southeast London that provides supported accommodation to people leaving secure hospitals. This area falls under the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust, which confirmed he was under their mental health services earlier this week.
The Attack
Prosecutor Emma Harraway outlined the case: On Wednesday at around 7:50 am, Suleiman arrived at the Southwark home of Ishmail Hussein, a friend he had known for some time. When Hussein opened the door, Suleiman allegedly attempted to stab him. Hussein sustained minor injuries and called the police.
Suleiman then traveled by public transport to Brent Cross underground station. At 11:16 am on Highfield Avenue, he encountered Shloime Rand, 34, as Rand was leaving a synagogue. Rand ran back toward the synagogue, realizing he was bleeding from the chest. He suffered a punctured lung but has since been discharged from hospital.
Norman Shine, 76, was waiting at a bus stop on Golders Green Road when he was stabbed in the neck. His injuries are not life-threatening, and he remains in hospital.
After the attacks, Suleiman suffered a medical episode on the street after being tasered multiple times by police. He was treated in hospital and discharged hours later.
Terror Investigation
Counter Terrorism Police have declared the incident a terrorist attack. The UK's terror threat level has been raised to "severe," meaning an attack is "highly likely." Suleiman has been charged with three counts of attempted murder and one count of possessing a bladed article in a public place.
Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring remanded Suleiman in custody until a hearing at the Old Bailey on 15 May.
Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said: "Our thoughts remain with the victims involved, and specialist officers continue to provide them with support as their recovery continues. We are determined to get justice for the victims, and now that a person has been charged, I would urge everyone to avoid any further speculation in relation to this case so that justice can run its course."
Background
Suleiman was reported to Prevent, the government's anti-extremism program, in 2020, but the case was closed the same year. The Home Office stated that the decision to raise the threat level was not solely due to this attack, as the threat level has been "rising for some time."
The Metropolitan Police said pro-Palestine marches across the country will be assessed following the threat level increase by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre on Thursday.
