Cops: London Underground Knife Attack Was Terrorism

Attacker shouted 'This is for Syria'
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Dec 7, 2015 12:43 AM CST

Counterterrorism police in Britain are investigating a stabbing at a London Underground station in which a man brandishing a knife injured two people and reportedly said, "This is for Syria." Police arrested a 29-year-old man after the Saturday night incident and said the "violent unprovoked knife attack" at east London's Leytonstone subway station was a "terrorist incident." One man suffered serious knife injuries and was in the hospital in stable condition. Another man received minor injuries, while a woman was threatened but not hurt.

Video shot by witnesses at the scene showed a pool of blood on the station's floor as the suspect was seen lunging at several police officers who tried to subdue him. He was then pinned down after a stun gun was used. One bystander can be heard shouting at the suspect, "You ain't no Muslim, bruv." The phrase was quickly picked up by Twitter users who turned it into a trending hashtag to show their contempt for the suspect and extremism. The suspect, Muhaydin Mire, has been charged with attempted murder, the Guardian reports. Britain's national terrorism threat level remains at "severe," meaning that authorities believe an attack is highly likely. (More London stories.)

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