A 19-year-old Norwegian man has been arrested in central London on suspicion of murder after a deadly assault in Russell Square last night.
The man, who police say is of Somali ancestry, remains in police custody.
Mark Rowley, the Metropolitan Police’s Assistant Commissioner told reporters that a police search of the suspect’s property revealed no signs of radicalisation.
AC Rowley: The suspect is a Norwegian national of Somali ancestry. No evidence of radicalisation or that the man was motivated by terrorism.— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) August 4, 2016
Rowley said the police investigation is making substantial progress and its focus is narrowing.
Police said earlier that mental illness played a significant part in the attack, however terrorism had not been ruled out.
One American woman died and five other people were injured during the frenzied attack. The nationalities of the injured are Australian, American, British and Israeli
The attack happened near the British Museum and close to the scenes of two of the 7/7 bombings eleven years ago.
Eyewitness footage of #RussellSquare incident from BBC correspondent BBCDomC pic.twitter.com/iuNa6cOfhI— Keith Walker (KeithWalkerNews) August 4, 2016
“It was very reminiscent [of the 7/7 attack], it’s the same area, the bus got blown up just a couple of hundred metres up the street there by the BMA [British Medical Association],” said witness Pol O’Geibheannaigh. “And yeah it was the first thing that crossed my mind, seeing that heavy police presence in this area. It just brought it all back, I mean it isn’t that long ago. It was eleven years ago.”
“I just came out for a cigarette and I saw someone laying down and people standing around,” said another witness Philippa Bagley. “And a guy with a motorbike helmet balanced on his head just walking up and down. And the police and the ambulance came.”
The Metropolitan Police said they are keeping an open mind and the suspect’s mental health may have been a factor.
Early indications suggest that mental health was a factor in this horrific attack,” the Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley said in a statement. “However we are keeping an open mind regarding the motive.
Good to see the Guardian contextualising claims of a mental health issue behind the Russell Square stabbings pic.twitter.com/BPQB9LFVRv— Alastair Reid (@ajreid) August 4, 2016
Officers are continuing to interview witnesses #RussellSquare anyone with information that could assist please contact us on 020 8721 4868— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) August 4, 2016
