A knife attack in north Belfast on Monday evening sent armoured vehicles into the streets by Tuesday night. A 30-year-old Sudanese national now faces attempted murder charges. Behind him, a city is burning.
The victim, a man in his 40s, was hospitalised with what Ryan Henderson, assistant chief constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, described as “significant injuries” to his eyes, face and back.
Henderson declared it a critical incident and launched a formal investigation to establish a motive. Bystanders who rushed in, Henderson said, had undoubtedly saved the victim’s life. Investigators found no evidence of accomplices, and a terrorist motive is being ruled out.
The suspect was charged Tuesday evening on three counts, including attempted murder, possession of a bladed article in a public place, and threats to kill. He is due before Belfast Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
Attempted murder carries a maximum life sentence under Northern Ireland law.
Originally incorrectly identified as being Somali, the accused is Sudanese, and was granted leave to remain in the United Kingdom in September 2023 after claiming asylum before moving to Belfast in February.
Hundreds of anti-immigrant protesters swept through Belfast on Tuesday following the charges being laid. Some set vehicles alight, including a bus torched in east Belfast.
Masked crowds gathered at multiple points across the city, resulting in police drawing armoured vehicles as violence spread across the city.
This is a developing story.
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