A 13-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following a double stabbing at Kingsbury High School in north-west London.
The suspect, a former pupil known to police and described as a British national born in the UK, was detained in NW10 after fleeing the scene. Officers located him inside a nearby mosque after worshippers alerted authorities to his presence. Police said he was found in a “distressed state” and confirmed there is no evidence to suggest he had any connection to the mosque.
Detective Chief Superintendent Helen Flanagan, of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said: “We don’t believe he had a connection with the mosque. We think it is coincidental.
Everyone in the mosque is supportive of the operation. We were clearly concerned the attack would have some terrorist motive, but we are keeping an open mind as to the motive.”Police said the suspect entered the school grounds before carrying out the attack inside a first-floor classroom. It is understood he may have accessed the site by climbing over a wall rather than using the main entrance.
According to officers, the suspect sprayed an unknown substance towards a pupil upon entering the classroom before stabbing a 13-year-old boy. As he fled along a corridor, he allegedly stabbed a second victim, a 12-year-old boy, before leaving the school premises.
Both victims were taken to hospital. Police have confirmed that, while their injuries are serious, they are not believed to be life-threatening.
The boys remain in hospital in a stable condition.Emergency services responded swiftly to the incident, with pupils held in the playground for several hours as officers secured the scene. Parents described chaotic scenes, with some students reporting seeing blood inside the building.
One mother said her daughter was in a nearby classroom when the attack occurred. “There was an alarm, everybody was scared and then there was chaos,” she said, describing the incident as “very distressing.”
Another grandparent described his grandson’s departure from the classroom minutes before the attack as a “lucky escape.”Counter Terrorism Policing London is leading what officers describe as a “fast-paced investigation” to establish the full circumstances and motive behind the incident.
Detective Chief Superintendent Flanagan added: “The injuries suffered by the two victims, while serious, are thankfully not life-threatening and they remain in hospital in a stable condition. Our thoughts remain with them and their loved ones at this incredibly difficult time. Specialist officers are providing their families with support.”
The school closed to certain year groups the following day as inquiries continued. Increased police patrols remain in place to reassure the local community. The 13-year-old suspect remains in custody.
