'I held down Golders Green suspect' says volunteer who grabbed ankle

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. 'I held down Golders Green suspect' says volunteer who grabbed ankle 17 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on Google Vinnie O’Dowd Isaac, a volunteer from community security group Shomrim, had been driving nearby when he heard the commotion A volunteer has described how he chased and restrained the suspect in Wednesday's Golders Green stabbing attack that left two men in hospital. Shloime Rand, 34, and Moshe Shine, 76, were stabbed in the north London neighbourhood and remain in a stable condition. A 45-year-old man, Essa Suleiman, has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and remains in custody.

Isaac, a volunteer with community security group Shomrim, had been driving away from his office when he heard a commotion and left his car. He said he immediately saw a man with blood on his head. He told the he then saw the suspect, remarking that "if eyes could kill, I'd be dead".

The Details

After being warned the suspect had a knife, Isaac followed him along Golders Green Road for about 100 yards, keeping a short distance behind. He said the suspect was "walking slowly, casually" but that he saw the blade in his hand. Isaac said he was screaming at members of the public to stay out of the way.

When police arrived at the scene, near the North Circular, and he heard the sound of sirens, Isaac said the suspect went "a bit berserk". Officers used a Taser to bring him to the ground, but the suspect continued to hold onto the knife so Isaac and another volunteer moved in to help. "I was holding onto his ankle, making sure that he couldn't move his leg, his left leg," Isaac explained, adding that this was so he couldn't "wriggle away".

He said a passerby and the police were then able to take the knife out of the man's hand. Isaac said his instinct was always to act and that his role as a volunteer meant that "if we find danger, we run toward it, we don't run away, we never run away". He believed his actions helped protect others and said he felt "amazing for saving the community and saving lives".

The suspect has a "history of serious violence and mental health issues" and had been referred into the government counter-terrorism Prevent programme in 2020, according to the Metropolitan Police. A spokesperson said the suspect's referral to Prevent was closed that same year.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.