A 47-year-old woman has been charged in connection with a stabbing incident that left four men injured near London's Covent Garden. Stella Gollovena, who has no fixed address, faces four counts of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and one count of possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.
Police were called to Endell Street at approximately 12:30 BST on Wednesday, where they found four men, aged between 34 and 56, suffering from stab wounds. They were taken to a major trauma centre. Scotland Yard confirmed that all four victims have since been discharged from the hospital.
Gollovena was arrested at the scene and subsequently charged. She is due to appear at Highbury Magistrates' Court.
Reports indicate the alleged stabbings occurred with a pair of scissors. Some witnesses described an incident outside the Shaftesbury Theatre, where two men were reportedly attacked, with others being assaulted further along Endell Street. One victim was seen with a blood-soaked shirt, and another with bandages.
Emergency services, including paramedics and an air ambulance, responded quickly to the incident. A significant police cordon was established in the area, extending from High Holborn to a homeless centre on Endell Street. Local businesses, including restaurants, continued to operate near the cordoned-off area.
Arjan Gjorga, who manages a fish and chip shop on Endell Street, stated that the victims appeared to be random individuals walking by. A spokesperson for the St. Mungo’s homelessness charity, which operates in the area, expressed solidarity with those affected and confirmed collaboration with emergency services to ensure the safety of their clients and staff.
Chief Superintendent Jason Stewart of the Metropolitan Police confirmed that officers arrived within minutes of the initial reports of the incident. The investigation is ongoing.