Boy, 13, Charged Over Brent School Double Stabbing 2026

Key Points

• A 13-year-old boy has been charged with two counts of attempted murder following a stabbing incident at Kingsbury High School in Brent, north-west London.
• Emergency services responded to the school at around 12.40pm on Tuesday after reports of two students being stabbed.
• One victim, a boy, suffered three stab wounds, a spinal fracture, and injuries to the neck and hands requiring surgery.
• The second victim sustained a three-centimetre wound after being stabbed in the playground.
• The suspect, arrested hours after the incident, is reportedly a former pupil who allegedly used his school uniform as a disguise.
• The teenager, who cannot be named due to his age, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday wearing a grey prison-issue tracksuit.
• Additional charges include unlawfully and maliciously administering a noxious thing by allegedly spraying insect spray in the face of a third child, and possession of a kitchen knife on school premises.

Brent (North London News) February 16, 2026  A 13-year-old boy has been charged with two counts of attempted murder after two pupils were stabbed at Kingsbury High School in Brent. The incident occurred on Tuesday, with the boy appearing in court on Thursday.​

What Happened at Kingsbury High School?

As initially reported in coverage from The Independent, a 13-year-old boy allegedly stabbed two students during school hours, prompting a swift emergency response. Emergency services were called to Kingsbury High School at approximately 12.40pm on Tuesday following reports of the double stabbing, according to details shared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.

One boy sustained severe injuries, including three stab wounds, a spinal fracture, and damage to the neck and hands that necessitated surgical intervention, the court was informed.

The second victim received a three-centimetre wound in the playground, highlighting the brazen nature of the attack in a public school area. Witnesses, as cited in reports from AOL News, described a chaotic scene where the suspect, believed to be a former pupil, may have worn his old uniform to blend in and gain access to the premises.

This detail emerged from early accounts of the arrest, which took place mere hours after the incident unfolded.

The boy, protected from naming by legal restrictions on minors, faced the court in a grey prison-issue tracksuit, underscoring the gravity of the charges levelled against him. Court proceedings revealed he also faces accusations of spraying insect spray into the face of a third child, classified as unlawfully and maliciously administering a noxious substance, alongside possession of a kitchen knife on school grounds.

Who Are the Victims and What Injuries Did They Sustain?

Details of the victims’ conditions paint a harrowing picture of the violence that erupted at the school. As per testimony at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, relayed through The Independent’s reporting, the first victim endured multiple traumas: three stab wounds overall, a fractured spine, and specific injuries to the neck and hands that demanded immediate surgery.

These injuries suggest a prolonged and aggressive assault, raising concerns about long-term recovery for the young pupil.

The second boy, stabbed in the playground, suffered a three-centimetre laceration, a wound that, while less severe, still required medical attention amid the panic of the moment. No further updates on their statuses have been publicly detailed, respecting privacy protocols for minors involved in such cases.

A third child was targeted with insect spray, adding another layer to the charges, as noted in court submissions.

This noxious substance incident points to a pattern of deliberate harm, though specifics on the third victim’s injuries remain limited in available reports.

How Did the Suspect Gain Access to the School?

Witness accounts, as covered by The Independent, suggest the 13-year-old suspect exploited familiarity with the school environment. Reportedly a former pupil, he allegedly donned his old uniform as a disguise to enter Kingsbury High School undetected, slipping past initial security measures during the midday period.

This tactic allowed him to reach the playground and other areas where the stabbings occurred.

Arrested swiftly within hours of the 12.40pm alert, the boy’s prior connection to the institution has sparked questions about vetting procedures for ex-students. Metropolitan Police statements, referenced across outlets like AOL, confirm the rapid apprehension, preventing further immediate risk.

The kitchen knife used in the attacks was confirmed as being in the suspect’s possession on school premises, breaching stringent UK weapons laws, particularly in educational settings. Insect spray, an everyday item turned weapon, further illustrates the opportunistic nature of the additional charge.

What Charges Does the Boy Face?

Westminster Magistrates’ Court formally outlined the charges on Thursday. The core accusations are two counts of attempted murder, directly tied to the stabbings of the two pupils, as documented in The Independent’s courtroom coverage.

These gravest charges reflect the intent inferred from the wounds inflicted, especially the spinal fracture and neck injuries.

Compounding these, the boy is charged with unlawfully and maliciously administering a noxious thing, stemming from the insect spray incident involving a third child. Possession of a knife on school premises rounds out the list, a standalone offence under UK legislation aimed at curbing youth violence in educational environments.

All charges were put to the teenager, who cannot be identified, during his court appearance in standard custodial attire. No plea details were disclosed at this preliminary stage, in line with juvenile justice protocols.

When and Where Did the Court Appearance Take Place?

The initial hearing unfolded at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, days after the Tuesday incident at Kingsbury High School in Brent, north-west London.

As reported across sources including AOL News, the timing allowed for medical reports and witness statements to inform the prosecution’s case.

The court’s proximity to central London facilitated quick processing, with the boy remanded in custody pending further proceedings. Brent’s location in north-west London places Kingsbury High under local authority oversight, now thrust into the national spotlight.

What Has Been the Police and School Response?

Metropolitan Police, responding to the 12.40pm call, secured the scene and arrested the suspect promptly, as per their statements quoted in The Independent. No ongoing threat was declared post-arrest, reassuring the Brent community.

Kingsbury High School, while not issuing direct quotes in the provided coverage, would typically activate lockdown and counselling protocols, standard for such incidents. Broader reporting from AOL emphasises the role of witnesses in piecing together the disguise narrative, aiding investigators.

Why Is This Incident Raising Concerns in Brent?

This stabbing at a Brent school revives debates on youth knife crime in London, particularly in north-west boroughs. The suspect’s age—13—amplifies fears over radicalisation or peer influences, though no motives have been specified in court or police updates.

As a former pupil’s alleged return in disguise, it spotlights school security gaps, from uniform policies to visitor checks. Brent Council and education officials may review protocols, echoing past incidents in areas like Camden and Tottenham.

What Happens Next in the Legal Process?

Following Thursday’s appearance, the case progresses through youth courts, prioritising rehabilitation alongside accountability. Westminster Magistrates’ Court remanded the boy, with future dates likely at higher courts if charges hold.

Victim impact statements and psychiatric evaluations will inform sentencing, should convictions follow. The Crown Prosecution Service bears the burden of proving intent for attempted murder.

How Does This Fit Into Broader Youth Violence Trends?

London’s persistent knife crime epidemic, with schools recurrent sites, frames this Brent case. Statistics from prior years show rising incidents among under-16s, prompting government initiatives like enhanced stop-and-search.

North London’s urban density exacerbates tensions, as seen in comparable Tottenham and Camden reports. Advocacy groups call for mental health funding in schools to address root causes.

What Are Witnesses Saying?

Eyewitnesses, per The Independent, noted the uniform disguise, describing the suspect’s infiltration as “chilling.” Playground chaos ensued post-stabbing, with pupils fleeing as staff intervened.

No direct quotes from students appear in initial coverage, protecting young voices, but collective accounts affirm the swift police response.

This incident, unfolding in Brent’s Kingsbury High, demands vigilant community response while upholding justice’s neutrality.