Attacker ‘Somali’; Victim American Woman in 60s

One woman has been killed and five people have been injured “Somali Origin” man with a knife attacked people, apparently at random, in the busy area of Bloomsbury in Central London.

Update 1200 — Attacker of “Somali Origin”

Metropolitan Police have given some more details on the attacker and victims, including the nationality of the killer — Norwegian — and his heritage which is described as “Somali Origin”. Police are still emphasising that they do not believe the attack was motivated by terror, and there are no indications of radicalisation. The attack has been described as “random and spontaneous”.

The murdered woman, described as being in her 60’s has been identified as an American citizen. Those injured are British, American, Australian, and Israeli.

The story so far:

Extra armed officers have been deployed in a high visibility precautionary role this morning after police received reports of a man attacking people in Russel Square at 10:33pm yesterday evening. Officers responded to the incident within five minutes of the first call according to a Metropolitan Police statement. Discharging a Taser stun-gun, officers were able to arrest the attacker.

The arrival of officers and ambulance crews were not fast enough to save the life of one victim, a woman described to be in her 60’s who was pronounced dead at the scene. A body bag was observed to be removed from Russel Square in the early hours of this morning.

Another woman and four men were injured and as of this morning two have been discharged from hospital, suggesting they had relatively light injuries.

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