The Metropolitan Police of London, U.K., have released bodycam footage showing the moment two officers arrested a man suspected of stabbing two Jewish men in the north-west London neighborhood of Golders Green. The suspect, a 45-year-old British national born in Somalia, remains in custody on suspicion of attempted murder.
What Does the Bodycam Footage Show?
The video captures the officers confronting the suspect late Wednesday morning as he walked down the middle of a street carrying a knife. The officers repeatedly shouted for the suspect to "get down on the ground" and demanded he "drop the knife." They used a taser to bring him down, but after falling, he held the knife close to his chest. During the struggle to subdue him and disarm him, the officers kicked the man in the head several times before handcuffing his hands behind his back.
Who Are the Victims?
The victims were identified as Shilome Rand, 34, and Moshe Shine, 76, both local men. They were treated at the scene and are now in stable condition in hospital, according to police.
What Do We Know About the Suspect?
Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley stated that the suspect has a history of serious violence and mental health issues. The suspect was known to a U.K. counter-terrorism program and was referred to it in 2020, but the referral was closed the same year, the BBC reported.
Is This Considered a Terrorist Attack?
The attack in Golders Green was formally declared a terrorist incident. The Counter Terrorism Policing unit is conducting an ongoing investigation, and officers are searching an address in south-east London. Police noted that the suspect also attempted to stab police officers before being tasered. No officers were injured.
Earlier Wednesday, police responded to an incident at a Golders Green address where the suspect, armed with a knife, is believed to have had an altercation with the occupant before leaving, causing minor injuries. Detectives are also investigating a separate incident reported earlier in south-east London, believed to involve the same individual.
The Jewish security group Shomrim initially detained the suspect after receiving a call about a man running along Golders Green Road with a knife, attempting to stab Jewish members of the public. Police emphasized that their focus remains on securing justice for the victims of this terrible attack.
