BELFAST — Police in Northern Ireland arrested a man on suspicion of attempted murder following a stabbing on Monday outside an apartment complex in north Belfast. The Police Service of Northern Ireland declared a critical incident after the event, which occurred at approximately 10:30 p.m.
The man in custody is in his 30s and is believed to be Somalian. Authorities have not indicated that the attack was motivated by terrorism. The victim, an unnamed man in his 40s, remains hospitalized in serious condition. The suspect remained in police custody following his arrest.
A video depicting a man striking another man on the ground on his head and neck circulated on social media. Bystanders intervened during the assault, with one individual using a hurling stick against the attacker. Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson confirmed that officers arrived at the scene within minutes.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland conducted emergency meetings to prepare for potential unrest after online calls for masked gatherings. Henderson urged the public not to share or repost images or footage of the assault, stating, "Doing so risks causing further trauma to the injured man's loved ones and may impact the ongoing investigation."
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, "I have absolutely no tolerance for abhorrent scenes of violence like this on our streets. My thoughts are first and foremost with the victim, and I thank the first responders, including members of the public who intervened." Henderson said, "This brutal attack will have sent shock waves through the community, causing real concern. I want to reassure the local community that we are treating this attack with the utmost seriousness."
Henderson said, "We wish to acknowledge the members of the public who strived to save the man from further attack. Their willingness to step forward to help another person shows incredible bravery and community spirit." Democratic Unionist Party leader Gavin Robinson requested police clarify the circumstances of the incident to prevent misinformation. Robinson said, "This was a systematic mutilation of a human being on the streets of Belfast."