13 Year Old Stabs Schoolmates In Neck And Back While Shouting ‘Allahu Akbar’, Say Witnesses

What began as an ordinary school day in north-west London ended in chaos, sirens, and trauma that will linger far beyond the classroom walls.

Just before lunch on Tuesday, a 13-year-old boy allegedly walked into Kingsbury High School in Brent and launched a knife attack that has left two students—aged 12 and 13—fighting for their lives. Witnesses say the attacker stabbed a 13-year-old in the neck and back while shouting “Allahu Akbar.” Moments later, a second boy was stabbed in front of horrified classmates.

The violence unfolded inside a classroom. At first, some children reportedly thought it was horseplay—until the victims failed to get up.

Armed police arrived within 13 minutes of the 999 call, according to the Metropolitan Police. But by then, the suspect had fled. Roughly an hour later, officers located and arrested a 13-year-old boy nearby on suspicion of attempted murder. A weapon believed to have been used in the attack was recovered. He remains in custody.

Authorities confirmed that the suspect was not a pupil at Kingsbury High School, raising urgent questions about how he was able to enter the building carrying a concealed weapon. The two victims were transported to hospital in life-threatening condition. As of Tuesday evening, police said their injuries were serious.

Because of the reported statements made during the attack and surrounding circumstances, Counter Terrorism Policing London has taken over the investigation. However, officials have not formally declared the incident a terrorist attack. Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams emphasized that investigators are keeping “an open mind” while working at pace to establish motive and full circumstances.

Inside the school, scenes were described as harrowing. Students who witnessed the attack were held in the school hall for several hours as officers conducted inquiries. Parents arriving to collect their children encountered sobbing teenagers and shaken teachers.

One father recounted that his son saw the attacker stab a boy in the neck. “Two boys were on the floor,” he said. “The other children thought they were just playing. But then they didn’t get up. It’s awful.” Another parent said simply: “My child is traumatised.”

Local residents described hearing children crying as they left with their families. One boy reportedly told his mother, “It was in his neck.”

School leaders and government officials responded with statements of shock and sympathy. Headteacher Alex Thomas called it a “deeply traumatic event for the whole school community.” Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson both expressed heartbreak and urged space for the investigation. London Mayor Sadiq Khan labeled the violence “appalling” and said it had “absolutely no place in our city.”

Kingsbury High School, an academy serving nearly 2,000 students aged 11 to 18, now faces the painful task of helping a community recover from sudden brutality.

For now, two young boys remain in hospital. A 13-year-old suspect sits in custody. Counter-terror officers are combing through evidence. And families across Brent are left asking a question no parent should ever have to ask after sending a child to school: