Belfast Stabbing Sparks Outcry and Calls for Protest

Updated on: June 9, 2026 / 11:46 AM EDT / CBS/AFP

Northern Ireland police have arrested a man following what British Prime Minister Keir Starmer described as a “sickening” stabbing incident in Belfast. A graphic video of the event, shared online by figures from the far right of British politics, has led to calls for mass anti-immigration protests.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) initially identified the suspect as a Somali man but later confirmed he is a Sudanese man in his 30s. A kitchen knife was recovered from the scene. Footage online shows the suspect attacking another man on the street, slashing him multiple times in the head and neck. Several bystanders intervened and managed to subdue the attacker by the time police arrived.

Calls for protests across Northern Ireland have intensified, with many social media users urging participation in demonstrations against mass immigration. Forensic police are actively investigating the scene of the stabbing in North Belfast.

This incident follows a series of racially-motivated riots that took place last year after a sexual assault and comes just a week after far-right-led protests in southern England. These protests were over the police response to a fatal stabbing involving a young white student and a British Sikh man.

Starmer commented on the attack, calling it “horrific” and “sickening.” He expressed gratitude to the first responders and members of the public who intervened. Despite the nature of the attack, police have yet to suggest any link to terrorism.

Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson stated that the suspect was detained on suspicion of attempted murder. The victim, a man in his 40s, is in serious condition at a local hospital due to severe wounds. Henderson described the attack as “deeply concerning” and a “critical incident,” affirming that the investigation is underway. The community’s concerns are understandable, he added, but there is no current indication of terrorist motives.

Amid rising tensions, political leaders in Northern Ireland urged calm and requested people to refrain from sharing the graphic video online to prevent further trauma. They emphasized the importance of allowing justice to take its course.

Gavin Robinson, a member of parliament from the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), highlighted the suspect’s five-year visa status during a debate. He warned of the profound impact on community cohesion and stressed the need to address immigration control.

Henderson acknowledged speculation regarding the suspect’s immigration status and confirmed discussions with the U.K. Home Office. The suspect reportedly entered Northern Ireland from Dublin and was granted leave to remain in the region. Authorities have yet to verify the details of the suspect’s immigration status.

Immigration remains a contentious topic in British politics. There is significant public backlash over perceived inadequacies in controlling immigration, influencing the rise of anti-immigration parties in polls. Notable far-right figures in Britain, including activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, known as Tommy Robinson, have circulated the Belfast video and organized protests.

Deputy Police Chief Henderson noted awareness of planned protests across Northern Ireland and acknowledged the complex emotions people are experiencing, from fear to anger. Past incidents of anti-immigrant violence, like last year’s riots following unsubstantiated charges of attempted rape in Ballymena, have already demonstrated the region’s volatility.

Mainland Britain has also witnessed clashes between police and protesters at anti-immigration rallies, notably near hotels housing asylum seekers.