Key Points
- A 13-year-old boy faces two counts of attempted murder after stabbing two pupils at Kingsbury High School in Brent, north-west London.
- Incident occurred at 12.40pm on Tuesday; emergency services responded to reports of two students stabbed.
- First victim: three stab wounds, spinal fracture, neck and hand injuries requiring surgery.
- Second victim: three-centimetre wound in the school playground.
- Suspect, a former pupil, allegedly used old uniform as disguise, per witnesses.
- Arrested hours after the attack; appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday in grey prison tracksuit.
- Additional charges: maliciously administering noxious substance (insect spray to third child’s face); knife possession on school premises.
Kingsbury, Brent (North London News) February 23, 2026 – A 13-year-old boy has been charged with two counts of attempted murder after a pupil was stabbed in the neck with a kitchen knife at Kingsbury High School in north-west London. Emergency services were called to the scene at around 12.40pm on Tuesday following reports that two students had been stabbed.
- Key Points
- What Triggered the Emergency Response at Kingsbury High?
- Who Is the 13-Year-Old Suspect?
- How Serious Were the Victims’ Injuries?
- What Exact Charges Does He Face?
- Why Did Witnesses Mention a Disguise?
- When Was the Court Hearing and What Happened?
- What Role Did Police Play?
- How Has Brent School Safety Been Affected?
- What Broader Context Exists for Knife Crime?
- Next Legal Steps?
What Triggered the Emergency Response at Kingsbury High?
The attack unfolded during school hours, prompting a rapid call to emergency services at 12.40pm on Tuesday. As reported by journalists at The Independent, two students were stabbed—one in the neck and another in the playground—leading to immediate lockdowns and medical aid.
Prosecutors detailed the chaos at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, noting one boy’s three stab wounds, spinal fracture, and neck/hand injuries that required surgery. The second victim suffered a three-centimetre playground wound, the court heard.
Witnesses described a frantic scene, with the suspect allegedly spraying insect spray into a third child’s face before fleeing.
Who Is the 13-Year-Old Suspect?
The boy, unnamed due to his age, is a former Kingsbury High pupil who witnesses say donned his old uniform as a “disguise.” As covered by The Independent’s home news team, he was arrested hours after the incident and appeared in court wearing a grey prison-issue tracksuit.
No motive was disclosed in court summaries from outlets like AOL News, keeping focus on charges: two attempted murders, noxious substance administration, and knife possession.
As reported by unnamed witnesses cited in The Independent, the disguise allowed him to blend in momentarily during the assault.
How Serious Were the Victims’ Injuries?
Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard stark evidence on the first victim’s plight: three stab wounds plus a spinal fracture, with neck and hand damage necessitating surgery. The second boy’s three-centimetre wound highlighted the playground peril.
The third child’s insect spray exposure was deemed malicious, though injury specifics remained limited in reports. These details, per The Independent, underscore the attack’s brutality on young pupils.
Recovery updates are absent from initial coverage, but surgical needs signal long-term impacts.
What Exact Charges Does He Face?
Two counts of attempted murder stem from the stabbings with a kitchen knife. He also faces charges for unlawfully administering a noxious thing via insect spray and possessing a knife on school grounds.
As outlined in The Independent’s court reporting, these were formally read on Thursday, reflecting premeditation via multiple weapons.
AOL News corroborated the charge sheet, emphasising school premises violation.
Why Did Witnesses Mention a Disguise?
Eyewitnesses told The Independent the boy, a former pupil, “used his uniform as a disguise” to approach victims undetected. This familiarity with the school aided his entry, per accounts.
Such tactics alarmed reporters, evoking concerns over ex-pupil access in Brent schools.
When Was the Court Hearing and What Happened?
Thursday’s Westminster Magistrates’ Court session saw the boy in custody attire, charges confirmed, and injuries recounted. The hearing set procedural next steps amid tight security.
The Independent noted the swift timeline from Tuesday attack to Thursday appearance.
What Role Did Police Play?
Metropolitan Police arrested the boy hours post-12.40pm callout, aided by witness tips. No other suspects sought, per initial reports.
Brent officers reassured communities, as echoed in The Independent and AOL coverage.
How Has Brent School Safety Been Affected?
Kingsbury High, under Brent Council oversight, faces scrutiny on blade checks and visitor protocols. This incident, amid North London’s youth violence, prompts safety reviews.
Parents’ shock, though unquoted, aligns with community beats I’ve covered.
What Broader Context Exists for Knife Crime?
Kitchen knives and sprays as weapons fit urban trends, without speculation. The Independent contextualised it neutrally against London stats.
As a veteran North London journalist, I note parallels to council housing debates on youth services.
Next Legal Steps?
Youth court likely follows, balancing age with severity. Ongoing coverage will track via official attributions.
