A 47-year-old woman has been charged in connection with a stabbing incident in Covent Garden that left four men injured. Stella Gollovena faces four counts of grievous bodily harm with intent and one count of possessing an offensive weapon, according to the Metropolitan Police. The charges stem from an attack on Endell Street yesterday afternoon, which saw emergency services swarm the busy tourist district.
Incident Details and Immediate Response
The victims, aged 34, 39, 42, and 56, were found with stab wounds and taken to a major trauma centre for treatment. In an update, the Met confirmed that all four men sustained injuries that are neither life-threatening nor life-changing, and they have since been discharged from hospital. Police responded within minutes of the incident, arresting Gollovena at the scene. She has been remanded in custody and is due to appear at Highbury Magistrates’ Court later today.
A witness, a barber who works in the area, described the chaotic moments when one of the victims sought help. "I work in the barbers and a man came in with a stab in the back," the barber, who asked not to be named, told Metro. "We helped him with a tissue on the wound. Then the woman came down the road, so I ran out of the shop and grabbed her. Then another lady helped and the police came."
Heroic Intervention and Community Reaction
Another barber at the 2 Chairs Grooming Room recounted the incident, praising a bystander who intervened. "He had a back injury, we helped him and did our best. The injury didn’t look that serious but he was in shock," the barber said. "The woman came down the road after. Before a man ran over to stop her, he was a real hero." The quick actions of the barbers and a passer-by were credited with preventing further harm.
Large crowds gathered near Trafalgar Square as police responded, with three ambulances, multiple police cars, and nearly two dozen officers attending the scene. The area, which welcomes more than 40 million visitors each year, was temporarily disrupted as investigations began.
Official Statements and Ongoing Investigation
A Met spokesperson provided an official account: "Four men – aged 34, 39, 42 and 56 – were found with stab wounds and taken to hospital. Their injuries were all assessed as neither non-life-threatening nor life-changing and they have since been discharged. Police arrested a 47-year-old woman at the scene, after responding to the incident within minutes."
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are appealing for any witnesses who have not yet come forward to contact them. The incident has raised concerns about safety in the bustling area, but police have assured the public that a suspect is in custody.
Gollovena’s court appearance later today will be closely watched, as the community seeks answers about the motive behind the attack. The swift arrest and charges reflect the seriousness with which authorities are treating the case.
