Boy, 13, arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after two pupils stabbed at London school
A 13-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after two pupils were stabbed at a school in Brent, north-west London.
Police were called to Kingsbury High School at 12.40pm on Tuesday to reports that a 13-year-old boy had been stabbed. Police found that a 12-year-old boy had also been stabbed.
Police said both injured children were in serious condition and were taken to emergency care. One was taken to a major trauma center and the other was taken to a hospital.
London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan warned anyone with information that “there is no honor in remaining silent” while London Counter Terrorism Police officers took over the investigation.
Inspector Luke Williams, who runs the force in north-west London, said: “The suspect, who we believe to be 13, left the scene following the stabbing.
“Following immediate investigation our officers arrested him and also recovered a weapon which we believe was used in the stabbing.
“The suspect was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and is being detained for questioning by our police officers.”
He said police were keeping an open mind about the motivation behind the attack.
“However, due to the surrounding circumstances, the investigation is currently being carried out by officers from London Counter Terrorism Police, who are working closely with our local officers in response to this incident,” Mr Williams said.
“The investigation has not currently been declared a terrorist incident and the investigation team will now work rapidly to gather any evidence and establish the full circumstances of what happened as soon as possible.”
He said that it was understood that the injured people were in serious condition.
Police officers spoke to students in the school hall more than three hours after school had finished, and worried parents gathered at the school entrance.
A student’s mother told Barnet Borough Times: “I panicked; many children did not have their phones with them, so I could not reach them.
“They had to leave their bags and belongings.
“At least I have it now. What happened is so terrible, so terrible, someone would have brought a knife to school.”
London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan urged anyone with information to contact the police, adding: “There is no honor in remaining silent.”
“This horrific violence has absolutely no place in our city,” he said.
In a letter to parents and carers, the school’s headteacher said the stabbings were a “deeply traumatic event for the entire school community”.
Alex Thomas wrote: “We are working closely with authorities and will provide further updates as soon as I am able to share verified information. Please keep students and their families in mind.”
Home Affairs Minister Shabana Mahmood said her thoughts and prayers were with the children stabbed in the “shocking” attack.
He wrote on social media: “Police have arrested the suspect and I would like to thank them for working quickly on this matter. We must now give them space to continue their investigation.”
Education Minister Bridget Phillipson said she was heartbroken and Brent East MP Dawn Butler said she was deeply shocked and saddened.
Brent Council leader Mohammed Butt said: “No parent should have to worry about their child’s safety at school and it is appalling to think how someone so young could come into possession of a weapon that can do so much damage.”
Kingsbury High School is an academy school for children aged 11 to 18, with both upper and lower divisions.
According to the Ministry of Education, it has 1,997 students.
Singer George Michael and jazz musician Courtney Pine went there.
