Somalian man arrested after north Belfast stabbing as MLA reacts to ‘some of most barbaric violence I have ever seen’
Man arrested after victim hospitalised. Warning issued over social media footage while ‘bravery’ of intervention hailed as politicians appeal for calm.
Kevin Scott
Visuals Editor
9 Jun 2026 10:15 AM
The PSNI has said a man believed to be Somalian has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following a serious incident in north Belfast on Monday night.
It happened in the Kinnaird Avenue area shortly after 10.30pm and has been declared a “critical incident”.
The injured man, aged in his 40s, is in hospital where his condition is described as serious. The attack has left the man with significant injuries to his face, neck and back.
Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said: “This is a deeply concerning assault and I have declared this a critical incident. We have commenced an investigation to establish a motive.
“This brutal attack will have sent shockwaves through the community causing real concern. I want to reassure the local community that we are treating this attack with the utmost seriousness. Our investigation is continuing at pace. Community safety is our priority and we are currently engaging with local representatives and residents to provide reassurance and support.
“Our officers were on the scene within minutes and we wish to acknowledge the members of the public who strived to save the man from further attack. Their willingness to step forward to help another person shows incredible bravery and community spirit.
“We are also aware of footage circulating online and we would strongly urge members of the public not to share or repost these images. Doing so risks causing further trauma to the injured man’s loved ones and may impact the ongoing investigation. Our thoughts remain with the victim’s family at this deeply distressing time.
“As our investigation continues we will provide further updates.”
Video posted to social media appears to show a man stabbing another man several times in the head with a knife.
The Belfast Telegraph understands police recovered a knife at the scene.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has called the attack “sickening”.
“The horrific attack in Belfast last night is sickening.
“I have absolutely no tolerance for abhorrent scenes of violence like this on our streets.
“My thoughts are first and foremost with the victim, and I thank the first responders, including members of the public who intervened.”
DUP leader Gavin Robinson told the BBC Nolan Show the incident was “barbaric” and “medieval”.
“What I have seen, on social media over the last 12 hours is something you cannot unsee.
“It was medieval. It was the systematic mutilation of a human being on the streets of Belfast.
“I said it already I’ll say it again, you can sense that this is quite different from the assaults or criminal disorder we sadly see in many villages and towns throughout Northern Ireland.
“There are huge, serious concerns that impact on community relations and community cohesion - it’s important that the police speak very clearly and powerfully to provide all of the details in a way they wouldn’t ordinarly do because this is not an ordinary incident.”
He added: “This is an incident where our community require the police to give them the information and talk to them fatually about what happened and to reassure and give them confidence at a time of great concern.
“It’s important that police give that information there can be no space for half truths there can be no space or rumour mills getting ahead of the facts.”
There have been calls for calm as unverified lists have been circulating on social media in relation to the incident. The PSNI has been contacted in relation to those.
UUP leader Jon Burrows said the scenes he saw were “horrific” and “barbaric” and urged the PSNI to have resources in place.
“I also want to thank all of those who interevened and tried to save this man’s life and for the actions of the police service.
“It is important that police come forward as early as possible with clear factual information.”
He added that police need to be on the “frontfoot”.
“That they are looking at things like resources for tonight where there are often things like vigils or protests ,and they need to think of all those things.
“They need to be on the front foot and give clear objective information as early as they can.”
A large police presence remains in place with a large area of an apartment block cordoned off.
The “bravery” of an intervention has been praised after an eyewitness to the attack told the Belfast Telegraph “three men, one armed with a hurl, got the fella with the knife off the victim.”
A spokesperson for the PSNI said: “Police in north Belfast are currently in attendance at Kinnaird Avenue following the report of a stabbing incident shortly after 10.30pm.
“A man has been arrested in relation to the incident and is in police custody while a second man has been taken to hospital with serious injuries.”
Alliance North Belfast MLA Nuala McAllister has condemned the “depraved” attack overnight.
“I am horrified by the footage emerging from North Belfast, depicting some of the most depraved and barbaric violence I have ever seen,” she said.
“My thoughts are with the victim and all those who witnessed this deeply disturbing incident. This extreme brutality has no place whatsoever in our society.
“The investigation must be allowed to take its course. We must give the PSNI the space and support they need to establish the full facts and ensure that the individual responsible is held to account. Our focus must remain on securing justice and ensuring that those responsible face the full force of the law.
“I’d appeal to anyone with any information that could help police to contact them urgently to help them with their investigation.”
SDLP north Belfast Councillor Carl Whyte asked social media users not to share footage of the incident out of respect for the family, and appealed for calm to “allow justice to take its course”.
He said: “This was an appalling act of extreme violence. The victim of this attack has endured a terrifying ordeal and all our thoughts are with him and his family and we pray for his full recovery. The bravery of those who intervened saw the attacker stopped and arrested by the police and they must be commended for their actions.
“People who view this footage will feel fear, anger and shock. If you are sent this footage, I urge you not to view it nor share it further for the sake of the victim and his family. I have requested an update from the PSNI on this incident and there is a clear need to reassure the local community following this attack.
“I would also ask people not to engage with far-right elements who will use this incident in an attempt to sow division. It’s important that people remain calm and allow justice to take its course.”
DUP Councillor Jordan Doran said he has been “left shocked and deeply concerned.”
Taking to social media, he condemned the attack as “completely unacceptable, which understandably caused significant fear and anxiety amongst local residents.
“The public will rightly expect a swift, thorough and robust investigation by the PSNI.
“Anyone found responsible for criminal acts of this nature must face the full consequences of the law.
“There can be no excuses and no tolerance for such brutality on our streets.”
Sinn Féin MP John Finucane said the incident was “deeply shocking”.
The north Belfast MP said: “I am aware of an appalling violent attack in Kinnaird Avenue of North Belfast last night.
“This is deeply shocking, there is no place for violence of any kind in our communities.
“My thoughts are with the victim and I hope they make a full recovery.
“I would urge anyone with information to come forward to the PSNI immediately so a full investigation can be carried out.”
A major police investigation is continuing.
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