Golders Green attack victim, 76, ‘who would never hurt a fly’ is pictured as cops share first details about suspect
THE first victim in the Golders Green terror attack has been pictured as police have shared new details about the suspect.
Cops announced tonight the knifeman is a Somali-born Brit national who is believed to have been involved in another incident hours before the horror unfolded.
Detectives believe the attack may be linked to an earlier altercation in south east London which left a person with minor injuries.
The police said: “It is believed that the suspect in this incident is the same individual arrested in Golders Green.”
They said the 45-year-old man has now been discharged from hospital remains in police custody.
One of his alleged victims was Moshe Shine, who was attacked while waiting to go home by bus at the bus stop, a member of the Jewish community said.
A friend of the 76-year-old said he was “very softly spoken. Very generous. He’s a very nice, smiley guy.
“Really the nicest guy. He never lost his temper or raised his voice.”
The friend, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: “I have spoken to his nephew and he was the one who told me that he is in a serious condition.
“One of his wounds is very serious, I think it was in the neck.”
They continued: “We are not really feeling safe in the country at the moment.
“It’s purely antisemitic, I know it’s the first time they’ve actually classified it as a terrorist attack but we think all the attacks are terrorist attacks.
“We’re only being attacked because we are Jewish, simple as that.
“Forget this issue about Israel, it’s got nothing to do with Israel. It’s the fact that we are Jewish.
“It’s just basic antisemitism.”
Norman, a friend of Moshe, said he worships at the Hendon Adath Synagogue.
He said he was “devastated” to hear his friend had been attacked.
He continued: “We are all shocked because he is the nicest guy who would not harm a fly.
“Moshe was always at synagogue learning and being a good man. I hope he recovers quickly.”
The second victim of the horrific attack has been named as Shloime Rand, 34.
An Iran-linked group called the Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right claimed responsibility without giving proof.
At 11.16am yesterday morning a knifeman began stabbing Jewish men in Golders Green.
Chilling footage shows a man stalking towards a Jewish man near to a synagogue on a side road.
He breaks into a run before lunging at him with a knife.
Just four minutes later he is seen approaching an older man who was putting on his kippah at a bus stop.
The man attacks Moshe, pushing him into a bus stop while stabbing him “repeatedly”.
Horrified onlookers swiftly rushed to the man’s aid in the harrowing clip.
Heroic members of Shomrim – the Jewish community volunteer security organisation – said they “immobilised the suspect with a vehicle” until armed cops arrived.
Police said the suspect tried to stab officers but they weren’t hurt.
London Ambulance Service said three people were treated at the scene and taken to hospital.
The two victims are said to be in stable condition after the rampage.
At 3.19pm, police officially confirmed the knife attack is being treated as a terrorist incident.
Met Commissioner Mark Rowley was then heckled by Jewish Londoners chanting “shame on you!” when he spoke after the attack.
He was confronted by crowds calling on him to resign as he revealed the man they arrested has a “history of serious violence and mental health issues”.
The suspect, who was reportedly armed with a knife, got into an altercation with the occupant of an address in south east London.
The alleged victim suffered minor injuries and police arrived at six minutes after being called at 8.50am.
A spokesperson added: “Officers carried out searches in the local area for the suspect, but he was not located.
“Officers also carried out enquiries to locate the man at an address connected to the suspect, but again, he was not located.”
They continued: “It is believed that the suspect in this incident is the same individual arrested in Golders Green.”
