British soldier stabbed near barracks; police suspect terrorism
A British Army soldier was hospitalized with severe injuries after being attacked with a knife near his residence. The attacker showed no regard for the soldier's uniform. The victim was repeatedly stabbed, including in the face. The police are not ruling out a possible terrorist motive.
According to English media, everything happened near the Brompton Barracks, between Chatham Street and Gillingham Street in Kent County. The attacker was reportedly armed with two knives.
According to "The Sun," the attacker repeatedly stabbed the soldier in the body. During the attack, he wore a ski mask and a NASA bomber jacket, suggesting that the assault was premeditated.
A woman, who is understood to be the victim's wife, then ran outside and tried to stop the knifeman by attempting to pull him off the soldier... But the attacker allegedly chased after him and began attacking him a second time, reports "The Mirror".
A spokesperson for the British Army announced cooperation with local police to investigate the reason behind the attack thoroughly.
We’re very sorry to confirm that a soldier has sustained serious injuries in an attack in Chatham, Kent. Our thoughts are with the soldier and their family and we request that their privacy is respected at this difficult time, quotes "The Mirror" the army spokesperson.
Witnesses described that they heard a "blood-curdling scream" during the attack. A shocked witness said the knifeman jumped off a moped and ran towards the soldier, who was around 40 years old. A 24-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
Knife attack in England. Injured soldier
Witnesses described that the man even had a wounded face. He was immediately taken to the hospital, and his condition was assessed as serious.
Blood was everywhere as I tried to apply pressure to his wounds until the police arrived. When the guy's wife came out and started trying to pull the guy off he didn't even try to hurt her, described a witness in an interview with "The Sun".
The newspaper, citing investigative information, does not rule out a terrorist motive. Soldiers gathered in the barracks were prohibited from leaving the military area without permission. Only after several minutes were they able to return home. Portal "The Sun" reminds that the attack occurred 11 years after the brutal death of soldier Lee Rigby, who was murdered by Islamic terrorists.
