Panic hit central London in broad daylight when a sudden violent attack unfolded on Endell Street. Four men were stabbed near the bustling tourist hub of Covent Garden. The suspect was quickly detained by authorities.
The Metropolitan Police moved fast. They charged 47-year-old Stella Gollovena with four counts of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. She also faces one count of possessing an offensive weapon in a public place.
The Timeline of the Attack
Emergency services rushed to the scene shortly after 12:30 pm on a Wednesday. Endell Street sits just a short walk from the heart of Covent Garden, an area packed with theaters, shops, and outdoor diners.
Officers found four injured men aged 34, 39, 42, and 56. A pair of scissors was recovered at the scene.
Medical crews deployed ground ambulances and an air ambulance that landed in nearby Trafalgar Square. All four victims went straight to the hospital. Thankfully, medical staff confirmed their injuries were neither life-threatening nor life-changing. They have since been discharged.
Local workers watched the chaos unfold. Staff from nearby eateries reported seeing police swarm the street and use a taser to stop the armed suspect. Witnesses noted that the woman was known locally as a homeless individual who frequented the area.
Police Response and Mental Health Context
Chief Superintendent Jason Stewart addressed the public quickly to calm rising fears. Investigators treated the incident as an isolated event.
Authorities stated early on that the attack appeared tied to mental health struggles. Police didn't treat it as a wider terror threat. Even so, the sudden nature of the violence left tourists and locals shaken.
London streets rely heavily on rapid response teams. Officers arrived within minutes of the initial emergency calls. That speed kept a dangerous situation from escalating further.
Gollovena was remanded in custody to appear at Highbury Magistrates' Court. The legal process will now move through the UK court system to address the charges directly.
Check local updates from the Metropolitan Police news desk for ongoing official developments regarding the case.
