Streatham Terror Attack: Killer Shot Dead Within Minutes
A terror attack on Streatham High Road on Sunday, February 2, shocked London as a man stabbed two people before being shot dead by armed police—just 60 seconds after he launched his assault.
Attack Unfolded in a Minute
The attacker, identified as 20-year-old Sudesh Amman, was under active police surveillance by the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command. Officers tailed him from an address in Streatham shortly after 1.30pm.
Just before 2pm, Amman walked into a shop on Streatham High Road. Witnesses say he stole a knife, ripped off its packaging, then bolted outside. There, he stabbed two members of the public while being chased by a shop staff member.
Police arrived swiftly, fatally shooting him within a minute of the stabbing spree starting. They discovered a bomb-like device strapped to Amman’s body, which thankfully turned out to be a hoax.
Victims Treated and Hospitalised
- A man in his 40s suffered serious but stable injuries after hospital treatment.
- A woman in her 50s was hurt but has since been discharged.
- A woman in her 20s sustained minor injuries from glass shards, likely caused by police gunfire, and has also been discharged.
First aid was given on scene by officers before paramedics took the victims to south London hospitals.
Background: Terror Past and Recent Release
Amman was recently freed from prison where he served three years and four months for terrorism offences linked to spreading extremist material. Arrested in May 2018 during a major Met counter-terror probe, digital forensics recovered a cache of terrorist content on his devices.
He pleaded guilty to 13 charges in November 2018. Released on January 23, 2020, he was then placed under armed surveillance, but further details remain under wraps to protect ongoing police tactics.
Ongoing Investigation
Met detectives are pursuing swift inquiries, gathering statements from around 50 witnesses and combing through hours of CCTV footage. Searches continue at two addresses, one in Bishop’s Stortford and another in Streatham, though no arrests have been made.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct is also involved in investigating the incident.
Streatham High Road remains closed with police cordons expected to be in place until Tuesday morning. Authorities have thanked the public for their help and patience during the tense aftermath.
