Displaying items by tag: stabbing

A tragic incident in London has shocked the community as a man riding a mobility scooter was fatally stabbed in a senseless attack. Jade Anthony Barnett, 38, was a beloved figure in his local area, known for his friendliness and charm. He was stabbed multiple times in broad daylight near a busy street, leaving many bystanders horrified. Despite the efforts of emergency services, he succumbed to his injuries at the scene. Residents and friends expressed their grief and disbelief over his untimely death, describing him as a gentle soul who never deserved such a fate. This heartbreaking event underscores the growing concern about safety and violence in urban areas, prompting calls for increased vigilance and support for vulnerable members of society.

The mother of Ioan Pintaru, a Romanian man accused of stabbing an eleven-year-old Australian tourist in London’s Leicester Square, expressed deep sorrow for the incident. Magda Girla apologised publicly, stating, 'I’m deeply sorry for what happened to that little girl. I suffer together with her mother and can’t describe the pain I’m in.' Pintaru, 32, allegedly attacked the girl near the Lego store, stabbing her eight times in a random, unprovoked assault. He had been working as a long-distance lorry driver for ten years, moved to England six years ago and had recently returned after a brief stay in Romania. He was described as homeless during his court appearance, where he was charged with attempted murder and possession of a bladed article. The attack was interrupted by a quick-thinking security guard who restrained Pintaru until police arrived. The young victim, who sustained severe injuries, will require plastic surgery. Pintaru is currently in custody and scheduled to appear at the Old Bailey on 10 September.

A global manhunt is underway for a suspected hit squad believed to have fled the UK after stabbing Iranian journalist Pouria Zeraati in Wimbledon. The 36-year-old was attacked outside his home on 29 March, sustaining leg injuries. Counter-terrorism police, who are leading the investigation, say that two suspects escaped in a vehicle driven by a third person. The vehicle was later found abandoned in New Malden and is being examined by forensic experts. The suspects reportedly reached Heathrow Airport and left the country. The hunt involves Scotland Yard, Britain’s intelligence services, the National Crime Agency, and Interpol. Zeraati, who was discharged from the hospital and is now in hiding, expressed gratitude for the support received on Instagram. The Metropolitan Police have not confirmed the motive, but given Zeraati’s role as a journalist and recent threats against UK-based Iranian journalists, anti-terror units are involved. Iran's charge d’affaires in the UK denied any involvement in the attack.

On 8 June, in a shocking incident, four children, aged between one and three, were stabbed in a playground in Annecy.  Police overpowered and arrested the knifeman, who also stabbed two adults.  The victims are in hospital; three are in a critical condition.  The suspect is a 31-year-old Syrian who had refugee status in Sweden. He has no criminal or psychiatric record, and there is no sign of terrorist motivation. When applying for asylum in France in 2022, he said he was a Christian, and seemingly invoked the name of Jesus during the attack.  In recent years, France has become accustomed to knife attacks, often carried out by solitary young men with backgrounds in petty crime and some Islamist connection. It is clear that this attack is of a different nature. So far, most politicians are being careful not to leap to conclusions, but it is inevitable that the attack will feed into the debate on immigration.

A 16-year-old is reported to have been killed in front of his parents in the Tulse Hill area of London - the fifth stabbing in the city in less than a week and the 119th this year. Local vicar Rev Richard Dormandy said people in the community are struggling to come to terms with what happened. This latest victim was found unconscious in the street, but the paramedics who attended were unable to save him. ‘People carry knives in the mistaken belief that it's going to help them in a time of need. It won't help them - it might actually lead them to murder someone. The police and community organisations, many Christian or church-based, are seeking to address the situation’, said Rev Dormandy. It is time now for Christians to be lights in the darkness. You are invited to fight violence with prayer and to join the ‘Peace on Our Streets’ campaign: see