Woman Arrested After Covent Garden Incident Leaves Four Injured
Police believe the attack, involving a suspected offensive weapon, was an isolated mental health incident.
Callum Smith
A 47-year-old woman was arrested in Covent Garden on Wednesday following an incident that left four men injured.
Police responded to the incident on Endell Street, Covent Garden, at approximately 12:27 pm yesterday. A woman stabbed four men.
Chief Superintendent Jason Stewart confirmed officers responded within minutes to multiple reports. Stewart asserted the incident appears isolated and linked to mental health concerns.
While still at an early stage of the investigation, we would like to reassure the community that we currently believe this to be an isolated, mental-health related incident.
Stewart stated, "Officers responded within minutes of this incident after receiving a number of reports." He added, "While still at an early stage of the investigation, we would like to reassure the community that we currently believe this to be an isolated, mental-health related incident."
An air ambulance landed in Trafalgar Square. The London Ambulance Service treated four patients at the scene, transporting them to a major trauma centre by road.
The arrested woman is suspected of possession of an offensive weapon, believed to be scissors. A pair of scissors was reportedly recovered at the scene.
Arjan Gjorga, a witness, claimed the assailant targeted random passers-by. Gjorga stated, "She just started stabbing random people. I didn’t see any scissors, but I heard it was with small scissors."
Another anonymous witness recounted, "We noticed she stabbed three people with scissors by the theatre then she came down here and the police were here." A barber intervened, attempting to restrain the female suspect from further attacks.
The barber indicated that I was holding the woman back to stop her from attacking more people. She had a weird look in her eyes. It was like she was possessed almost. But I still ran towards her and held her back.
The barber stated, "I was holding the woman back to stop her from attacking more people." He described the suspect's unsettling demeanour, saying, "She had a weird look in her eyes. It was like she was possessed almost. But I still ran towards her and held her back."
One man reportedly entered a nearby shop saying he had been stabbed. Another witness claimed police disarmed the woman while she was using a vape.
Matt Bishop, a witness, did not see the stabbing but observed the woman running towards the crossroads. Bishop noted, "She didn't seem to be particularly coherent. She was pretty incoherent in what she was shouting, the officer was asking what language she was shouting."
Witnesses identified the arrested woman as homeless, frequently seen in the surrounding area.
A spokesman for St Mungo’s homeless charity stated, "Our thoughts are with everyone who has been affected by this distressing incident." The charity confirmed active collaboration with emergency services, ensuring the safety and accountability of their clients and colleagues.
The police cordon was lifted around 3:30pm. Gollovena has been remanded in custody to appear at Highbury Magistrates’ Court.
Separately, the Metropolitan Police are investigating a fatal stabbing of a 21-year-old student, Finbar Sullivan, in north London. A manhunt is underway for Jordan Asije, 22, in connection with that incident.