Full Breakdown
Stabbing in Covent Garden Leaves Four Men Hospitalised; Woman Arrested
8/7/2026, 12:54:13 AM
Core Event – August 5 2026 Attack
On Wednesday, August 5 2026, police responded to Endell Street in Covent Garden around 12:30 p.m. BST after four men were stabbed. The victims, aged 34, 39, 42 and 52 (some reports listed 56), were treated on-scene and taken by road to a major trauma centre. Two remained in hospital with non-life-threatening injuries; the other two were discharged later that day. A 47-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon and assault; scissors were recovered at the scene.
Key Figures & Groups
- Stella Gollovena – 47-year-old woman of no fixed address, charged with four counts of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and one count of possession of an offensive weapon.
- Chief Superintendent Jason Stewart – Metropolitan Police officer leading the investigation, describing the incident as an isolated, mental-health-related attack.
- London Ambulance Service – Provided on-scene care and transport.
- Metropolitan Police – Coordinated the emergency response and continues the investigation.
Timeline
- 12:30 p.m., Aug 5 – Emergency services receive calls; officers arrive within minutes.
- 12:29 p.m., Aug 5 – Ambulance service dispatches crews, a paramedic, an incident response officer and London’s Air Ambulance.
- Afternoon, Aug 5 – Police arrest the suspect, seize scissors and cordon Endell Street.
- Aug 6 – Gollovena appears at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court and is remanded in custody.
- Sept 3 (scheduled) – Next hearing at Snaresbrook Crown Court.
Data & Statistics
- Victims: Four men; ages 34, 39, 42, 52 (some outlets list 56).
- Injuries: All non-life-threatening; two discharged, two remain hospitalised.
- Weapon: Pair of scissors (also described as “shears”).
- Arrest: One woman, 47, held on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon and assault.
- Emergency response: Four patients treated at the scene and transported by road to a major trauma centre.
Official Statements & Responses
Metropolitan Police said early indications point to a mental-health-related incident. Chief Superintendent Stewart noted officers responded within minutes and that a visible police presence would remain while evidence is gathered. A spokesperson for St Mungo’s homeless charity said welfare checks were being conducted for residents.
On-the-Ground Reports
Witnesses described the attacker as a homeless woman known locally. Arjan Gjorga, manager of a fish-and-chip shop on Endell Street, said she “started stabbing random people” and appeared incoherent. Matt Bishop, a nearby consultancy employee, reported a “stand-off” with three officers and the woman waving a weapon, though he did not see the stabbing itself.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Victim ages: Most outlets list the oldest victim as 52; the Daily Star and later reports cite 56.
- Initial victim count: Early statements mentioned three stabbed individuals; a later clarification confirmed four.
- Weapon description: Sources refer to “scissors,” “shears,” or “small scissors,” with no forensic details released.
Why It Matters
The attack adds to public concern about knife-related violence in the UK, even as overall knife-crime offenses fell 8 % in the year to March 2026, according to the Office for National Statistics. The use of scissors highlights challenges for law-enforcement and mental-health services in preventing sudden attacks in crowded urban settings.
What’s Next
- Legal proceedings: Gollovena remains in custody pending a hearing at Snaresbrook Crown Court on September 3 2026.
- Police investigation: Forensic examinations continue and additional witnesses are being interviewed.
- Community safety: Stewart has pledged a continued visible police presence in Covent Garden while evidence is gathered.
