Police Confirm Kingsbury School Stabbing Suspect Was Former Pupil
Counter-terrorism police have confirmed that the suspect arrested in connection with the double stabbing at Kingsbury High School was a former pupil of the institution. Detective Chief Superintendent Helen Flanagan from Counter-Terrorism Policing London emphasized that the suspect's subsequent arrest at a mosque was purely coincidental, with no connection between the teenager and the religious site.
Mosque Arrest Deemed 'Coincidental'
According to police statements, the 13-year-old suspect was arrested at approximately 4:50 PM on Tuesday, February 10, after worshippers at a mosque in northwest London dialed 999 because the teenager appeared distressed. DCS Flanagan clarified that the suspect had zero connection to the mosque and posed no threat to it, describing the location of the arrest as coincidental.
"At this point we do not believe the suspect to have any particular connection to that mosque," Flanagan stated. "At this stage, we think that it may have been coincidental that he ended up in that area, and all of those at the mosque have been incredibly supportive of this investigation."
Timeline of the School Incident
Police reports indicate the former Kingsbury High School pupil arrived on the school premises at about 12:30 PM on Tuesday. The suspect allegedly went to a first-floor classroom where they sprayed a liquid at another pupil. Authorities have confirmed the substance was not noxious and the targeted pupil was not injured.
Subsequently, a 13-year-old boy was stabbed in the classroom, and a 12-year-old boy was stabbed on the ground floor of the school building. Both victims received medical attention following the attacks.
Extensive Investigation Underway
Police have launched a comprehensive investigation into the incident, which includes:
- Interviewing approximately 30 to 40 witnesses
- Searching three premises, including two connected to the suspect and the mosque where the arrest occurred
- Utilizing highly trained and specialist officers to conduct interviews with young witnesses
The suspect remains in custody after being arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. Police have confirmed the incident has not been declared a terrorist incident at this time.
Delicate Investigation Process
DCS Flanagan described the investigation as "an extremely delicate process" due to the young ages of many witnesses from the school. Specialized officers are handling interviews to ensure proper procedures are followed while considering the sensitivity of working with young people who witnessed a traumatic event.
Authorities have searched multiple locations as part of their investigation, including properties connected to the suspect. The police presence at Kingsbury High School continued through Wednesday, with security measures implemented at the lower school site following the violent incident.
