One Killed, Several Injured in London Stabbing Rampage

A man went on a rampage with a knife in the London’s Russell Square on Wednesday evening, killing a woman and injuring five others.

Metropolitan Police said the attacker was tasered at the scene and arrested. The suspect was not identified in the initial press release from the police.

“Terrorism is one possibility being explored at this stage,” the release stated. In a press conference later, a police spokesman said a 19-year-old man was in custody in a hospital and mental health was suspected to have played a “significant” role in the attack, but authorities were keeping an “open mind” on motive.

“A female (no further details) was treated at the scene but was pronounced dead a short time later,” Metropolitan Police said. “We await an update on the condition of the other persons injured and details of any other injuries.”

Sky News reported that the woman fatally stabbed was in her 60s. One woman and four men were injured.

The attack area is near the British Museum as well as hotels, restaurants and a tube station.

Police were planning to increase their presence throughout the city during the Thursday morning commute for “reassurance” of Londoners.

A police spokesman asked the British public to be “calm, vigilant and alert.”

Some ISIS supporters tweeted about the attack with praise of “Allahu Akbar,” but the ISIS-affiliated Amaq Agency, which traditionally posts claims for attacks in Europe, had not yet said anything about the stabbings.