Six people were stabbed in Glasgow, Scotland, in what authorities are describing as a “serious police incident.”
Heavily armed law enforcement officers swept through the area on Friday and were seen entering the Park Inn hotel. Authorities warned of nearby street closures due to the attack. The BBC and the Guardian reported that there were three fatalities. Police Scotland Assistant Chief Constable Steve Johnson said six people were injured in the attack at the hotel, which is currently being used to house asylum seekers.
“Six other people are in hospital for treatment to their injuries, including a police officer, who is in a critical but stable condition,” Johnson said.
Johnson later said the stabbing is not thought to be an act of terrorism, and one of the victims was a 17-year-old male.
“The incident is not being treated as a terrorism, and our investigation is continuing into the circumstances. There is no wider risk to the public. However, the street remains closed, and people should avoid the area,” he said.
The suspect was shot dead by police. One witness described seeing two people lying in the reception area of the Park Inn suffering from stab wounds and said that “one of them was fighting for his life, gasping for breath.”
The Scottish Police Federation confirmed that an officer was stabbed during the incident. The officer is in critical but stable condition.
“We appreciate families of police officers in #Glasgow will be anxious to hear that a police officer has been stabbed. Please be aware the family of the officer has been notified and is being supported by the service,” the federation said.
We appreciate families of police officers in #Glasgow will be anxious to hear that a police officer has been stabbed. Please be aware the family of the officer has been notified and is being supported by the service.
— ScotsPolFed (@ScotsPolFed) June 26, 2020
“Emergency services are currently dealing with an incident in West George Street in Glasgow. The street is currently closed off, and the public are asked to avoid the area at present. The situation is contained at this time, and there is no danger to the general public,” a Scotland police spokesman told the Guardian.
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon advised residents to steer clear of the area.
“The reports from Glasgow City Centre are truly dreadful. My thoughts are with everyone involved. I am being updated as the situation becomes clearer. Please help the emergency services do their jobs by staying away from the area — and please don’t share unconfirmed information,” she said on Twitter.
U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson thanked first responders in a tweet about the stabbing.
“Deeply saddened by the terrible incident in Glasgow, my thoughts are with all the victims and their families. Thank you to our brave emergency services who are responding,” he said.
Deeply saddened by the terrible incident in Glasgow, my thoughts are with all the victims and their families.
Thank you to our brave emergency services who are responding.
— Boris Johnson #StayAlert (@BorisJohnson) June 26, 2020
