A 14-year-old boy has been charged following a stabbing incident at a KFC in Bromley that resulted in four individuals sustaining stab wounds. The incident occurred on Thursday, September 10, at approximately 2:15 PM on Bromley High Street. A 21-year-old man and three boys aged between 14 and 17 were transported to the hospital for treatment. The 21-year-old was initially in critical condition, but his injuries are now reported to be non-life-threatening, while the teenagers have been discharged from the hospital.
In connection with the incident, eight individuals were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, with six of them released on conditional bail as investigations continue. The Metropolitan Police have confirmed that the 14-year-old boy has been charged with one count of affray and two counts of threatening a person with a bladed article or offensive weapon in a public place. He appeared at Bromley Magistrates' Court on Saturday and is scheduled to appear again on Wednesday.
Authorities stated that there is no ongoing threat to the public and are treating the incident as isolated. Witnesses reported seeing a large knife used during the altercation, with one bus driver describing it as a 'zombie knife.' A nearby security guard indicated that the attackers were a group of youths armed with a machete. Following the incident, the area around the town square and shopping center was cordoned off, and emergency services, including an air ambulance, were dispatched to the scene.
The London Ambulance Service reported that they received a call at 2:19 PM regarding the stabbing and sent multiple units to the location. A spokesperson for KFC confirmed that a serious incident occurred in their restaurant and stated that they are cooperating with the police investigation while prioritizing support for their team members and customers during this time.