A 13-year-old boy has died and four more people injured, following an attack in North East London this morning.
Police were called shortly before 7am to reports of a vehicle being driven into a house on Thurlow Gardens.
The teenage boy was treated for stab wounds at the scene in Hainault, along with two police officers.
Five people were taken to hospital, but the teenager, whose identity has not been revealed, died there as a result of his injuries.
A 36-year-old man was arrested at the scene, after being tasered by police.
“Truly horrific”
Chief superintendent Stuart Bell said: “It is with great sadness that I confirm one of those injured, a 13-year-old boy, has died. He was taken to hospital after being stabbed and sadly died shortly afterwards.
“The child’s family are being supported by specially trained officers. Everyone across the Met is keeping them in our thoughts at this unimaginably difficult time.
“The events of this morning are truly horrific and I cannot begin to imagine how all those affected must be feeling.
“My thoughts are with the injured, their families and the wider community as we all begin to come to terms with what has happened.
“I know that there is an understandable desire for answers and an explanation about what happened. Our investigation is in its very early stages and my officers are working to establish the full circumstances as a priority.”
He went on to explain that police did not believe there was an ongoing threat to the community and it did not appear to be a terrorist incident.
Two Met officers stabbed
CS Bell added: “We know now that during the incident five people were injured, three members of the public and two police officers. The other two members of the public remain in hospital and thankfully their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
“The two Met officers are also in hospital with stab wounds. Both require surgery and have significant injuries but these are not life-threatening.
I commend the incredible bravery of our officers and the other emergency services who raced to the scene this morning.”
Anyone with any information that could help the investigation should call 101.
