Man arrested for ‘attempted beheading’ that was stopped by bystanders stepping in

A ‘Somali’ man is being held on suspicion of trying to kill a man in an ‘attempted beheading’ in the middle of a street in Belfast.

The victim, a man in his 40s, is in a serious condition in hospital after suffering ‘significant’ injuries to his face, neck and back.

Footage of the incident – too graphic to publish – is circulating on social media. It appears to show a knifeman pinning the victim to the ground before aiming several blows towards his head.

The clip also shows residents in Kinnaird Avenue intervening in the attack, with one hitting the attacker with a hurling stick in a bid to stop the onslaught. One man can be heard saying: ‘He’s trying to cut his head off.’

The suspect is described as a man in his 30s who is believed to be Somalian.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland declared a ‘critical incident’ after the attack.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: ‘The horrific attack in Belfast last night is sickening.

‘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.’

Police Service of Northern Ireland Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said: ‘This is a deeply concerning assault and I have declared this a critical incident.

‘We have commenced an investigation to establish a motive.

‘This brutal attack will have sent shockwaves through the community causing real concern.

‘I want to reassure the local community that we are treating this attack with the utmost seriousness. Our investigation is continuing at pace.’

The scene outside an apartment complex off Kinnaird Avenue in the lower Antrim Road area remained cordoned off on Tuesday morning, with markers visible on the ground where the attack had taken place.

Political representatives have expressed the shock felt in the local community.

Stormont’s Justice Minister Naomi Long said: ‘My thoughts this morning are with the victim of last night’s horrific attack in North Belfast, and with their family, the brave people who disarmed the attacker and the PSNI who attended and will now investigate.

‘There can be no place for such violence in our community.

‘I would also ask people not to share the very graphic images and footage of the attack.

‘They are deeply disturbing and traumatising to view.’

DUP leader Gavin Robinson said the attack was ‘deeply concerning’ and told the BBC anyone who saw the footage ‘will be unable to unsee it’.

‘It was medieval, barbaric and systematic mutilation of an individual in Belfast,’ he added.

North Belfast MP John Finucane said his thoughts are with the victim of the attack.

‘I am shocked following a horrific attack in north Belfast last night,’ he said.

‘My thoughts are with the individual who has been taken to hospital following serious injuries, and I hope they make a full recovery.

‘I have spoken with police today and would urge anyone with information about this appalling attack to come forward and assist the investigation.’

Local DUP councillor Jordan Doran said he was ‘left shocked and deeply concerned’ by footage circulating online following the stabbing.

‘Many residents have contacted me expressing concerns about community safety and seeking reassurance following this incident,’ he said.

‘Those concerns are entirely understandable. People deserve to feel safe in their homes and communities, regardless of where they live.’

He continued: ‘What is beyond dispute is that violence of this nature has no place in North Belfast.

‘I will be engaging with the PSNI and relevant agencies as a matter of urgency to ensure residents receive the information and reassurance they deserve.’

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has dashcam or CCTV footage has been urged to contact police.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@usnewsrank.com.

For more stories like this, check our news page.