A 19-year-old Norwegian man has been arrested in central London on suspicion of murder after a deadly assault in Russell Square last night.<br /><br /> The man, who police say is of Somali ancestry, remains in police custody.<br /><br /> Mark Rowley, the Metropolitan Police’s Assistant Commissioner told reporters that a police search of the suspect’s property revealed no signs of radicalisation. <br /><br /> <br /><br /> AC Rowley: The suspect is a Norwegian national of Somali ancestry. No evidence of radicalisation or that the man was motivated by terrorism.— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) August 4, 2016<br /> <br /><br /> <br /><br /> Rowley said the police investigation is making substantial progress and its focus is narrowing.<br /><br /> Police said earlier that mental illness played a significant part in the attack, however terrorism had not been ruled out.<br /><br /> One American woman died and five other people were injured during the frenzied attack. The nationalities of the injured are Australian, American, British and Israeli<br /><br /> The attack happened near the British Museum and close to the scenes of two of the 7/7 bombings eleven years ago. <br /><br /> Eyewitness footage of #RussellSquare incident from BBC correspondent BBCDomC pic.twitter.com/iuNa6cOfhI— Keith Walker (KeithWalkerNews) August 4, 2016<br /> <br /><br /> “It was very reminiscent [of the 7/7 attack], it’s the same area, the bus got blown up just a couple of hundred metres up the street there by the BMA [British Medical Association],” said witness Pol O’Geibheannaigh. “And yeah it was the first thing that crossed my mind, seeing that heavy police presence in this area. It just brought it all back, I mean it isn’t that long ago. It was eleven years ago.”<br /><br /> “I just came out for a cigarette and I saw someone laying down and people standing around,” said another witness Philippa Bagley. “And a guy with a motorbike helmet balanced on his head just walking up and down. And the police and the ambulance came.”<br /><br /> The Metropolitan Police said they are keeping an open mind and the suspect’s mental health may have been a factor.<br /><br /> Early indications suggest that mental health was a factor in this horrific attack,” the Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley said in a statement. “However we are keeping an open mind regarding the motive.<br /><br /> <br /><br /> Good to see the Guardian contextualising claims of a mental health issue behind the Russell Square stabbings pic.twitter.com/BPQB9LFVRv— Alastair Reid (@ajreid) August 4, 2016<br /> <br /><br /> <br /><br /> Officers are continuing to interview witnesses #RussellSquare anyone with information that could assist please contact us on 020 8721 4868— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) August 4, 2016<br />
