American woman killed, 5 hurt in London knife attack
Other victims were from Britain, Israel, Australia, and America.
Two Australians have been confirmed injured in a stabbing attack that left a USA woman dead in central London.
Police earlier said “terrorism is one possibility being explored at this stage” but went on to say they found no evidence of radicalization or anything to suggest the man held – a 19-year-old Norwegian of Somalian ancestry – had been motivated by terrorism.
In December, 29-year-old Muhyadin Mire was charged with attempted murder after authorities say he carried out an unprovoked knife attack in a subway station in London’s Leytonstone suburb. He may have been triggered by mental health issues, it was reported.
A woman who was wounded was treated at the scene, but died a short time later.
Police said Thursday that it wasn’t terrorism – but in a city on edge after a summer of attacks elsewhere in Europe, both authorities and London residents initially responded as if it were. Three were later discharged.
“Ellie Cattle, 21, a student staying in a hotel near the square, said she heard police shouting: “‘Put it down, put it down!’ Then I heard what sounded like a gunshot, but it must have been the Taser.
It was also revealed that the woman killed in the attack in Russell Square on Wednesday night was American. The suspect has been charged with murder.
He said an address had been searched in north London, while another in south London will be searched. “We would urge the public to remain calm, alert and vigilant”.
The threat level in Britain remains at “severe”, its second highest level, meaning a strike is “highly likely”.
London police had already promised to deploy more armed offices after a spate of deadly attacks in other European countries.
The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said, “Police have spoken to him and are seeking to establish the full facts including motives for this attack”.
Police were swift to dismiss terror as a possible motive for the attack, which was instead blamed on mental health problems.
He said that, in some operations, police commanders have taken advice from specialist psychologists.
Anyone with information about the Russell Square attack is asked to contact police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. In May 2013, two al-Qaeda-inspired London men killed off-duty soldier Lee Rigby in the street near his barracks.