One killed, 5 injured in London knife attack

One woman was killed and five others sustained injuries after a man went on a rampage with a knife in London’s Russell Square, an elegant park near the site of a 2005 suicide bombing.

The attacker, a 19-year-old, was suspected to have mental health issues, but the police did not rule out the possibility of terrorism.

Policemen arrived within five minutes of being called and used a Taser electric shock gun.

He was later arrested on suspicion of murder.

“Early indications suggest that mental health is a significant factor in this case and that is one major line of inquiry,” Mark Rowley, London metropolitan police assistant commissioner, told reporters.

“But of course at this stage we should keep an open mind regarding motive and consequently terrorism as a motivation remains but one line of inquiry for us to explore.”

The investigation is being handled by the homicide command with support from the counter-terrorism officers, Rowley said.

The woman was treated at the scene but was pronounced dead a short time later.

The other injured people – one woman and four men – were treated in hospital and three were later discharged.

A Reuters reporter at the scene said the southern part of the square, which sits at the heart of London’s university area and is close to landmarks such as the British Museum, was cordoned off by police.