Afghan man held after dog walker dies in stabbing
🔪 Afghan National Arrested After Fatal Triple Stabbing in West London
An Afghan national has been arrested on suspicion of murder following a triple stabbing in west London that killed a dog walker. Wayne Broadhurst, 49, a local man, was stabbed in Midhurst Gardens, Uxbridge, on Monday and died at the scene.
Investigators confirmed that a second man, 45, was admitted to hospital with life-changing injuries, and a 14-year-old boy was also injured. A 22-year-old man, who was tasered during his arrest, is being detained on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.
The perpetrator was arrested in November 2020 in a lorry and was granted asylum and leave to remain in the UK in 2022. He was not residing in Home Office accommodation.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed the suspect was initially taken to hospital as a precaution but was later arrested and taken into police custody. The attack is not being treated as terrorism, and detectives are working to establish any connection between the perpetrator and the three victims.
🌹 Community Response and Apprehension
Around 100 people stood silently by the police cordon surrounding the scene on Tuesday evening. The crowd later applauded before dispersing. A large group of men, women, and children laid flowers and lit candles at the junction between Midhurst Gardens and Leybourne Road.
Footage shared online showed the perpetrator walking along a residential street before two police officers sprinted after him. One officer pointed a Taser and yelled, "Get down on the floor!" and "Get on the ground!" Several other officers joined them before the Taser was discharged, and the man fell to the ground.
Ch Supt Jill Horsfall commented on the incident:
"This was a horrific and senseless act of brutality that has killed one man and injured two others. Our thoughts are with the victim's families and relatives at an unimaginably difficult time. The incident will have unquestionably caused fear among the local community. I have sent multiple officers to the local area, and they will be here all week to give reassurance while detectives continue to piece together the details."
She urged the public: "I know that there have been a lot of rumours online since this incident. We ask you to trust us for information and that you do not post sensitive footage."
The family of the deceased man has been informed and is being supported by specially trained police, the Met stated.
đź’¬ Victim Described as "Last Person on Earth"
A neighbour in Uxbridge, speaking on Tuesday, revealed that the man who died was a bin man and was "the last person on Earth" you would expect this to happen to. "He's a bin man. I've been here two years and will see him walk past the window," she said. She confirmed that on Monday, he was "just doing the normal dog walk he does every day."
She added: "I still can't get over it. If he had been five or ten minutes later taking the dog out, would the same thing have occurred?" She later brought flowers and a box of shortbread for his wife.
A female neighbour from a nearby road, who wished to remain anonymous, left one of four bouquets outside the police cordon. "Last night, the cops came down my street," she said. "I thought to myself, 'Oh my God, I wonder what's happened.'" She found out what happened early Tuesday morning, which made her feel "completely sick." She noted: "The neighbourhood used to be lovely, but it has gradually declined over the years. I just wish I'd come down and laid some flowers for the family."
🚨 Local Fears and Official Response
Another woman, who did not want to reveal her name, told BBC News that her son's friends were chased by the man who was stabbing people but managed to escape.
"It's horrendous and just on our doorstep. My daughter couldn't sleep last night because she was afraid the man would come and attack her."
Robin Stevens, 50, who lives on the other side of Midhurst Gardens, said he heard a lot of sirens on Monday evening and learned what had happened on Tuesday morning.
"I grew up on this street. I've lived on this road for 50 years, and I've always known it to be a family-orientated neighbourhood," he said.
Eighteen-year-old Wisam Salah, who lives near the cordon, said "everyone is really worried" after the incident.
A Home Office spokesperson expressed sympathy to those affected by the "horrific event" and confirmed they are being updated by the Met as the investigation continues. "The highest priority now must be for the police to investigate so that those accountable can be brought to justice," they said.
Anyone who witnessed or has information about the incident is encouraged to call the police. The best of BBC Radio London is available on Sounds, and you can follow BBC London on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
