A man has been charged following a stabbing incident that occurred in Leicester Square, London. The incident involved an 11-year-old girl and a 34-year-old woman who were attacked near the TWG Tea shop. Ioan Pintaru, 32, has been charged with attempted murder and possession of a bladed article. He is set to appear in court today.
The police responded to reports of the incident at around 11:30 am on Monday. The 11-year-old victim was found with stab wounds and was taken to the hospital. Fortunately, her injuries were assessed as non-life threatening. Initially, it was believed that the girl’s mother was also injured, but it was later clarified that the blood was from her daughter’s injuries.
The suspect, Ioan Pintaru, has been remanded in custody and will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court. The victims and the suspect are not known to each other, and the incident is not being treated as terror-related. Eyewitnesses described the suspect targeting the young girl and attacking her repeatedly.
Abdullah, a security guard, along with other members of the public, managed to detain the suspect until the arrival of the emergency services. Both victims were taken to major trauma centers, with the 11-year-old girl requiring hospital treatment and the woman sustaining minor injuries.
The Mayor of London expressed concern for the victims and is receiving regular updates on the incident. Eyewitnesses reported seeing the suspect being arrested and placed in a police van. The incident has caused shock and concern among residents and visitors to Leicester Square.
The quick response of the security guard and emergency services likely prevented further harm to the victims. The motive behind the attack remains unclear, and authorities are continuing to investigate the incident. The safety and well-being of residents and visitors in the area are of utmost importance, and measures may be taken to enhance security in response to such incidents.
