The man arrested after two Jewish men were stabbed in Golders Green has been identified in multiple reports as 45-year-old Essa Suleiman, a British national born in Somalia. The Metropolitan Police has not publicly named him in its formal statements, but has confirmed the suspect is a 45-year-old Somalia-born British national with a history of serious violence and mental health issues.
Counter-terror police are leading the investigation after two Jewish men, aged 34 and 76, were stabbed in the north London attack. Police have said the suspect also attempted to stab officers before he was Tasered and arrested. Both victims were taken to hospital and are in a stable condition.
Reports have also said Suleiman was referred to the government’s Prevent anti-extremism programme in 2020, but the case was closed later that year. That detail has been reported by major outlets, although the Met has not formally set it out in its own public statement on the case so far.
Police have now confirmed there was also an earlier knife incident involving the suspect on the same morning. Officers were called to Southwark at about 8.50am, where the man was allegedly involved in an altercation while armed with a knife. The occupant suffered minor injuries.
Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said the suspect had a background of serious violence and mental health issues. Investigators are considering all possible motives and are working to establish the full circumstances of the attack.
The attack has intensified concern in Golders Green and the wider Jewish community, coming after a string of recent incidents affecting Jewish-linked sites in north London. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has described the stabbing as deeply concerning and has urged the public to recognise the pain being felt in the Jewish community.