Teen Stabs Boys at Kingsbury High, Caught at Mosque 2026

Key Points

• A 13-year-old former pupil, a British national, allegedly carried out a knife attack at Kingsbury High School in Brent, North London, during lunchtime on Tuesday.
• Two schoolboys, aged 12 and 13, were stabbed and remain in hospital following the incident at around 12.30pm.
• The suspect first entered a first-floor classroom, sprayed a substance at one pupil (who was not injured), then stabbed a 13-year-old boy in the same room.
• He fled down a hallway and stairs, stabbing a 12-year-old boy on the ground floor before escaping the school premises.
• Armed police launched an immediate manhunt, leading to the suspect’s arrest later that day on suspicion of attempted murder after he was spotted inside a nearby mosque.
• Detective Chief Superintendent Helen Flanagan of Counter Terrorism Policing London addressed the incident at a press conference on Wednesday, emphasising the rapid police response.
• The school, located in the London Borough of Brent, was the scene of the attack, with no further injuries reported among staff or other pupils.

Kingsbury, Brent (North London News) February 18 2026
A 13-year-old former pupil accused of stabbing two young boys at Kingsbury High School was arrested shortly after the lunchtime attack when he was seen inside a nearby mosque, police have confirmed. The incident, which unfolded at around 12.30pm on Tuesday, left a 12-year-old and a 13-year-old boy in hospital, prompting a swift armed police response and manhunt across the area. Authorities described the suspect as a British national who arrived at the school armed with a knife, targeting pupils in separate locations within the building.

What Happened During the Attack at Kingsbury High School?

The attack began when the 13-year-old suspect entered the school premises at approximately 12.30pm during the lunch break. According to details released by police, he made his way to a first-floor classroom where he sprayed an unidentified substance towards one pupil, who fortunately sustained no injuries.

The suspect then stabbed a 13-year-old boy in the same classroom before fleeing along a hallway and down a flight of stairs.

On the ground floor, he stabbed another boy, aged 12, before escaping through the school exit. No staff or additional pupils were reported harmed in the incident. The school, a large comprehensive in the London Borough of Brent serving over 2,000 students, was immediately locked down as emergency services responded.

Why Was Counter Terrorism Policing Involved So Quickly?

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Detective Chief Superintendent Helen Flanagan of Counter Terrorism Policing London said: “

Armed police attended the school and a manhunt was immediately stood up to try and locate and detain the suspect as quickly as possible.”

Her involvement underscores the standard protocol in London for knife-related incidents at schools, where counter-terrorism units often lead due to their expertise in rapid response and public safety threats.​

As reported in initial coverage, the teenager was arrested later on Tuesday on suspicion of attempted murder after being recognised inside a local mosque.

Police have not disclosed the exact location of the mosque to protect community sensitivities, but confirmed the arrest was peaceful and without further incident. The suspect remains in custody as enquiries continue.

How Are the Victims Doing After the Stabbing?

Both victims, schoolboys aged 12 and 13, were rushed to separate hospitals following the attack. As of Wednesday, they remain under medical care, though specific updates on their conditions have not been publicly released to respect their privacy and families’ wishes.

The 13-year-old was stabbed in the first-floor classroom, while the 12-year-old was attacked on the ground floor, highlighting the suspect’s movement through the building.

No information has emerged regarding the substance sprayed in the initial classroom encounter, but authorities confirmed it caused no harm. School staff acted decisively to secure the premises, aiding the police response.

Who Is the Suspect and What Is Known About His Background?

The suspect is described as a 13-year-old British national and former pupil of Kingsbury High School. Details on why he was no longer enrolled at the time of the attack have not been specified, but police have confirmed he arrived armed with a knife.

His arrest at a mosque has drawn media attention, though officials have stressed there is no confirmed motive linking the incident to terrorism or ideology at this stage.

Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full sequence of events leading up to the suspect’s arrival at the school. Counter Terrorism Policing London’s involvement suggests a thorough investigation into any potential wider context, standard for such serious youth violence cases in the capital.

What Was the Immediate Police Response?

Armed officers were dispatched to Kingsbury High School within minutes of the first reports at 12.30pm.

A manhunt was launched immediately, involving local and specialist units scouring the surrounding Brent area. The operation culminated in the suspect’s detention later that day after he was sighted inside a mosque, demonstrating the effectiveness of community tips and police coordination.

Detective Chief Superintendent Helen Flanagan emphasised the priority of public safety in her Wednesday statement, noting the rapid stand-up of resources to apprehend the individual. No other suspects are being sought, and the investigation remains focused on this single teenager.

How Has the School Community Reacted?

Kingsbury High School, situated in the diverse Kingsbury area of Brent, has not issued a direct public statement in available reports, but local authorities confirmed the site was secured post-incident. Parents were notified, and pupils were safely accounted for as the lockdown lifted.

The attack during lunchtime likely heightened fears among families in this North London suburb known for its multicultural population.

Community leaders in Brent have been approached for comment, though no specific responses from mosque officials or school governors were detailed in initial coverage. The incident adds to ongoing concerns about youth knife crime in London, where schools often serve as focal points for prevention efforts.

What Questions Remain About the Incident?

Several aspects await clarification as the investigation progresses. Why did the former pupil return to Kingsbury High School armed, and what was the nature of the sprayed substance? Police have yet to confirm a motive, with ongoing interviews of the suspect, witnesses, and school staff underway. The role of the mosque in the arrest—whether the suspect sought refuge there or was simply recognised—has not been elaborated upon.

Authorities are also reviewing CCTV footage from the school and surrounding areas to reconstruct the timeline precisely. Brent Council and the Metropolitan Police have pledged full transparency where possible, balancing operational needs with public reassurance.

Broader Context of Knife Crime in North London Schools

This incident at Kingsbury High School echoes a troubling pattern of knife-related violence involving youth in North London. Brent, part of the capital’s outer zones, has seen fluctuations in such cases amid broader efforts like the Mayor’s Violence Reduction Unit. Statistics from recent years show a focus on school-based interventions, including searches and mental health support, though Tuesday’s attack underscores persistent challenges.

As a former pupil, the suspect’s case may prompt reviews of exclusion policies and safeguarding measures at comprehensives like Kingsbury High. Counter Terrorism Policing’s role, while routine for blade incidents, highlights London’s heightened alert status post-various high-profile events.

Statements from Authorities and Next Steps

Detective Chief Superintendent Helen Flanagan’s press conference on Wednesday provided the most detailed official account to date. She reiterated:

“Armed police attended the school and a manhunt was immediately stood up to try and locate and detain the suspect as quickly as possible,”

prioritising swift justice. The 13-year-old remains under arrest on suspicion of attempted murder, with charging decisions pending forensic and witness evidence.​

The Metropolitan Police and Brent Council continue to support the victims’ families and the school community. Updates are expected as the investigation deepens, with no indication of further threats to the public.