Update — Sept. 5, 2014, 12:12 BST:
A woman was found beheaded in a garden at a home on Nightingale Road in Edmonton, north London, on Thursday, the Press Association reported.
Police source confirms PA report that woman found in Edmonton, North London, had been beheaded.
Detectives involved in the case stated that there is no suggestion that the killing had any terrorist motive. A 25-year-old man has been arrested and is in custody.
Surrounding streets have been closed, but there is no suggestion of any ongoing threat to the public at the scene.
Eyewitnesses told the Daily Mail that they saw a man killing cats in the area before the incident was discovered, and police have confirmed that a man with a machete was seen there around lunchtime.
Police have identified the victim as 82-year-old Palmira Silva.
Update: The Metropolitan Police have named the victim who was beheaded in Edmonton in North London today as 82-year-old Palmira Silva
Her husband Domenico reportedly died six years ago and was aged around 79.
Sky News is reporting that other potential victims escaped from the scene, and that it appeared to be a random attack.
Sky Sources: other potential victims escaped as a woman was beheaded in Edmonton in north London in what appears to be a random attack
A man commented that he was "dragged" from his home by police warning him of a "dangerous man" on the loose.
Spoke to one local man in Edmonton who said he was "almost dragged" from house by police who said there was "dangerous man on loose".
Man said he was shaving at time and wasn't even given enough time to put on a shirt. He'd since borrowed one.
Evacuated residents - some "traumatised" - are being looked after in nearby Marsh House - an Enfield Training Services building.
#beheading Police say the suspect is thought to have tried to attack two other people at a nearby address.
A murder investigation is underway following the death of a woman earlier today, 4 September, in Nightingale Road, N9.Police were initially called at 1307 to reports of a man armed with a knife.Local officers and armed officers responded. On arrival officers found a woman, no further details at this stage, collapsed in a garden area. She was pronounced dead at the scene. At this early stage we have not yet spoken to the woman's next of kin. As such we are not prepared to comment on the exact nature of the woman's injuries or the type of weapon or weapons used.A 25-year-old man was detained by firearms officers near by the scene of the incident. He was arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody. One firearms officer was injured during the course of the arrest, believed to be suffering from a broken wrist. Taser was discharged by officers.At this stage it is too early to speculate on possible motivation, however police are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident.
"This is was a highly visible attack in broad daylight on a residential street. I can understand why this may cause people concern, however we are confident that we are not looking for anyone else at this stage."Whilst it is too early to speculate on what the motive behind this attack was I am confident, based on the information currently available to me, that it is not terrorist related."Local officers and specialist detectives are at the scene and will remain there for many hours to come."Specially trained family liaison officers will be deployed to support the family; we request that their privacy is respected at this very difficult time."The Homicide and Major Crime Command are leading the investigation. Anyone with any information is asked to call the Incident Room on 020 8345 3865, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
25yo man detained by firearms officers & arrested on suspicion of murder. 1 firearms officer injured during the arrest #edmonton
DCI Sandlin: Not yet spoken to the woman’s next of kin. We are not prepared to comment on the exact nature of the woman’s injuries #Edmonton
DCI Sandlin: Not yet spoken to the woman’s next of kin. We are not prepared to comment on the exact nature of the woman’s injuries #Edmonton
Edmonton is a residential suburb in north London.
People there have been tweeting about the incident.
Edmontons been a madness
This shit was scary man
An aerial shot of the scene was shared on Twitter:
Pictures from edmonton in north london is that the body of the women on the floor?
Here are some photos of the scene on Nightingale Road.
Forensics officers were at the scene.
According to several other reporters, this is the second fatal stabbing in the area today.
This is the second fatal stabbing in the borough today. @KoosCouvee was on the scene of a fatal Brimsdown stabbing earlier today
Green Street, Enfield, man believed 2b in his 50s died arnd 2am. Suspected murder, 26-yr-old arrested @NrthLondonNews
Commander sergeant Simon Letchford gave a statement to the press describing how the suspect was arrested.
He described a struggle in which several windows were smashed and the suspect was cornered in a house – not thought to be that of the suspect – and overpowered by officers.
One firearms officer suffered a suspected broken wrist, while the suspect is being treated in a nearby hospital for cuts and bruises. Letchford told waiting reporters that the original call to police took place after residents heard someone attacking an animal, possibly a cat or a dog.
Letchford praised the actions of the police officers on the scene.
He said that they put their lives on the line in what was a "fast-moving and difficult situation." He said the motive of the attack is still unknown, but that police do not believe it to be terror-related. He added: "These kind of events are very unusual."
Letchford confirmed that the suspect is currently in hospital and that uniform officers are conducting house-to-house inquiries.
The commander urged people with any video evidence to come forward.
"I am absolutely horrified and stunned by what has happened in my constituency and my heart goes out to the family affected."Edmonton is a relatively solid community with good relations between all of the people living there. It comes as a total shock that this terrible crime has taken place."I want to reassure the local community, not only immediately surrounding Edmonton but those in the wider area of north London that this has happened with no suggestion of a terrorist motive."This is traumatic and very sad event and we must now look to support the family surrounding these difficult circumstances."
The London Evening Standard on Friday morning reported the suspected killer has been named locally as Nicholas Salvadore, nicknamed Fat Nick. Locals reportedly said he was both a Muslim convert and an aspiring cage fighter.
First picture of man suspected of murdering an 82-year-old woman in Edmonton http://t.co/TDFqYzaD2u
Metropolitan Police on Friday released this image of Silva, who was born in Italy and had for 30 years worked in a local cafe with her son, Tony, it emerged.
