The graphic video was shared widely on social media. It shows the attacker sitting on top of the man in the street, holding his victim immobilized, as he uses a knife to attack his neck, sawing back and forth. British nationalist activist Tommy Robinson was among those who shared the footage.
A bystander intervened by attacking the man with a hurling stick. He managed to get the attacker off the victim, who was then taken to Royal Victoria Hospital with critical injuries. Others jumped to his aid to wrestle the attacker to the ground. The attack took place in the north of the city, The Daily Mail reports, outside an apartment building on Kinnaird Avenue about 10:30 pm.
The victim was in his 40s and is in critical condition, with wounds to his face, neck and back. The Sudanese man was arrested for attempted murder. He was heard shouting in a foreign language during the attack. An investigation is apparently underway. "This is a deeply concerning assault," said Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson, "and I have declared this a critical incident. We have commenced an investigation to establish a motive."
The Police Service of Northern Ireland issued a statement, saying "A man in his 30s, believed to be Somalian, has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following a serious assault involving a knife in the Kinnaird Avenue area of north Belfast on Monday night... He remains in police custory. 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."
Robinson later criticized "politicians and legacy media" for "trying to downplay the attemped beheading in Northern Ireland last night. The public will be out across the country tonight. You've got ot go Keir Starmer. Policing the Internet as our people are killed and raped!" Starmer has been attempting to crack down on tech companies.
Women's rights campaigner Kellie-Jay Keen also spoke out about the reporting on the attack, saying "Stabbing?!? A man lay in the floor whilst another tried to saw his head off with a small knife after stabbing him repeatedly in the face. These are not our crimes, We are not the same."
This attack comes just after the conviction and sentencing of Vickrum Digwa, a 23-year-old man who was sentenced to life in prison for the knife murder of Henry Nowak.
That December 2025 attack saw police take the side of the killer, who claimed Nowak had racially abused him, rather than tend to Nowak, who had been stabbed 5 times. Nowak bled to death in the street while handcuffed by police and under arrest.
Activists who oppose mass migration to the UK have called for a protest on Tuesday night at 7 pm local time at Coleraine Town Hall. A Facebook post calls for an "emergency protest." It reads: Emergency call to the Public after last night's vile disgusting act of brutality and violence from this African migrant on what is believed tobe a local 'Teenage Boy' has sparked fury & outrage across the whole of UK & Ireland. Tonight we stand in solidarity of both the Protestant and Catholic people of this tiny island." The victim was reportedly in his 40s, not a teenager, but the term likely references the Nowak killing.
Others have said that businesses in the area where the protest is expected to be staged have plans to shut down starting at 5:30 pm.
Photojournalist Aodhan Roberts shared images of the police presence at the scene of the crime.
British leaders spoke out on social media during what has been a trying time in their nation. First Minister Michelle O'Neill demanded that the attacker "face the full weight of the law" and commended those who intervened to stop the attack.
UK PM Kier Starmer spoke out, saying "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."
"What happened in Belfast last night is horrific. The authorities must reveal the identity and status of the attacker immediately. The public are entitled to the truth," said Nigel Farage.
MP Rupert Lowe, who has been outspoken against mass migration, wrote to Starmer, saying "We have all seen the sickening video from Belfast. Full details of this savage's nationality, immigration status and religion must be made available to the public as a matter of urgency. The British people need to know the full truth. Now."
