The suspect in the Golders Green stabbing attack has been identified as Essa Suleiman, a 45-year-old man who was referred to the Prevent counter-terrorism scheme in 2020. The referral was closed within six weeks after he was cleared of being a terrorist threat.
Suleiman was arrested by the Metropolitan Police on suspicion of attempted murder shortly after two Jewish men were stabbed in north-west London on Wednesday. The attack is being treated as terrorism, with police investigating whether the suspect was targeting victims based on their religion.
The victims have been named as Shloime Rand, 34, and Moshe Shine, 76. Video footage appears to show Shine being attacked at a bus stop. Police used a stun gun to subdue Suleiman, who has a history of serious violence and mental health issues, according to Met Commissioner Mark Rowley. He has previously been admitted to mental health hospitals.
Suleiman came to the UK as a child and has worked as a Somali translator and a security guard, including at a school in Wiltshire. He was registered at an address in south London. Counter-terrorism police and MI5 are investigating, with early indications suggesting he acted alone.
The stabbings follow a series of arson attacks on Jewish targets in London since March, including two previous incidents in Golders Green. Authorities are trying to determine which ideology may have motivated the attack.
