Kingsbury High School Stabbing Leaves Children Traumatized and Fearful
Children at Kingsbury High School in Brent, north west London, have been left "traumatized" and too scared to attend classes following a double stabbing incident on Tuesday afternoon. Two boys, aged 12 and 13, were knifed at the school, sending shockwaves through the local community and prompting a swift police response.
Details of the Attack and Police Investigation
According to authorities, the attack occurred when a suspect, believed to be a former pupil, disguised himself in school uniform and climbed over a wall to gain entry. One of the victims reportedly pulled a fire alarm to alert teachers, an act praised by witnesses as heroic. Detective Chief Superintendent Helen Flanagan confirmed that the victims are in stable condition in hospital with serious but non-life-threatening wounds.
A 13-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody. Police recovered a weapon believed to be used in the stabbing and are analyzing devices and witness accounts to determine the motive. Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams stated that officers are "keeping an open mind" regarding the attack's motivation.
Community Reaction and Emotional Impact
Parents and students expressed deep distress over the incident. Janti Kalyan, a grandparent of two pupils, said, "My grandsons are traumatized. For the moment, they don't feel safe coming back to school." A sixth-form student described hearing lockdown alarms and seeing multiple ambulances, calling the scene "unsettling." Local parent Nilash, whose children previously attended the school, expressed shock, noting that such violence had never occurred before.
Headteacher Alex Thomas addressed the trauma in a letter to parents, stating, "This has been a deeply traumatic event for the whole school community." He assured that the situation is under control and that the school is cooperating with authorities.
Political Responses and Calls for Action
Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan condemned the violence, urging anyone with information to come forward, emphasizing that "this awful violence has absolutely no place in our city." Sir Keir Starmer, speaking at Prime Minister's Questions, labeled the stabbing an "appalling attack" and extended his thoughts to the victims and affected families, while thanking police for their rapid response.
The incident has sparked concerns about school safety and the psychological well-being of students, with ongoing investigations aiming to provide clarity and prevent future occurrences.
