Deadly knife rampage occurs in the heart of London

Deadly knife rampage occurs in the heart of London. August. 05, 2016 07:56. by 파리=동정민특파원 ditto@donga.com.

A 19-year-old man wielding a knife went on a deadly rampage in central London. A woman was killed and five other people injured. "Early indications suggest that mental health is a significant factor in this case and that is one major line of inquiry," police said. "Terrorism is one possibility being explored at this stage."

According to the Associated Press (AP) on Thursday, police were called in at 10:33 p.m. Wednesday local time after reports of a man “seen in possession of a knife injuring people." Russell Square is the London’s second largest square and is the place where many popular tourist attractions are located including the British Museum.

Police were immediately dispatched to the square and a taser was used on the suspect. He was arrested less than 6 minutes later. The stabbed woman in her 60s was treated at the scene but was pronounced dead a short time later. The police also said one injured victim appears to be American.

The deadly knife rampage came just hours after the British authorities announced London would increase its presence of armed police in response to terrorism. The police are tightening their guards against recent ISIS terror threats.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe warned a terror attack in the U.K. was a case of "when, not if." Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley said that the police were keeping an open mind regarding the motive and terrorism was one line of inquiry that we should explore. The city increased the number of armed patrols to 600 as part of anti-terrorism plans.