London Subway Leytonstone
© Luke Macgregor / Reuters
Saturday night turned into a horror movie at London's Leytonstone underground station as an attacker slashed a person's throat while shouting "this is for Syria." Police, who had difficulty detaining the man with only a Taser, are now treating the incident as a terror act.

The attack took place in the ticket hall at Leytonstone station. Witnesses described a horrific scene, with a pool of blood on the floor and the attacker shouting, while threatening to stab others.


The victim, who reportedly had his throat cut, was transported to a hospital and remains in a serious condition with multiple stab wounds, according to paramedics.

"We are treating this as a terrorist incident," the head of the London police's Counter Terrorism Command, Richard Walton, said in a statement.

A total of three people were injured in the incident - one seriously and two with only minor wounds, according to police.

London police declined to comment on the reports that the attacker was shouting comments about Syria.

Police used a Taser on the suspect to apprehend him, as he repeatedly resisted arrest. A video emerged showing the attacker scuffling with an officer.

WARNING: GRAPHIC FOOTAGE



Comment: For more video of this horrible situation visit original article here.


A witness provided express.co.uk with a detailed account of the attack, claiming that Syria was mentioned in the aftermath of the stabbing.

"So as I was going to Leytonstone station, was dressed to go to Christmas dinner with people from work ... I just saw a lot of people running but I ignored it and kept walking to get my train, but suddenly what I saw I couldn't believe my eyes and what I saw was one guy with a knife and a dead guy on the floor."

"I was so scared I ran for my life. After a good 10-15 police came and got the guy and arrested him. And as he was coming out this is what he said 'This is what happens when you f*** with mother Syria all of your blood will be spilled,'" the witness claimed.

The Metropolitan Police have confirmed that officers were called to the scene at 7:06 pm local time on Saturday after reports of a stabbing. "Met officers attended the scene. A man was arrested at 19:14hrs and taken to an east London police station where he remains in custody," a Met spokesperson said. "A Taser was discharged by one of the Met officers."