A Sudanese migrant has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a graphic video showed him allegedly trying to behead a man in the middle of a street in north Belfast, Northern Ireland.

The disturbing incident occurred late Monday evening, June 8, 2026. Video footage captured the blood-soaked attacker pinning down his victim and repeatedly stabbing him in the head and neck area while bystanders screamed for him to stop. One witness shouted, “He’s trying to cut his head off. He’s slicing his head off.”

Horrified locals intervened, with one person striking the suspect with a stick to help pull him off the victim. The victim, a local man in his 40s, suffered serious slash wounds to his face, eyes, and back. He was hospitalized with significant injuries.

Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) officers initially described the suspect as a man in his 30s believed to be Somalian, but later corrected this to Sudanese, citing the early stages of the investigation. The man was living in the UK on a five-year visa.

Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson described the attack as “brutal” and confirmed there is currently no evidence suggesting it was terrorism-related. He emphasized that the investigation is ongoing and urged the public to remain calm.

Local residents expressed shock, with one telling media outlets the scene was “like something out of a horror movie.” Another woman said she was “absolutely petrified” after hearing screams and seeing children gathered nearby. At least one witness was hospitalized due to the stress of what she saw.

Democratic Unionist Party leader Gavin Robinson called the attack “barbaric” and “medieval,” demanding the suspect be convicted and deported. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the violence as “sickening.”

Increased police presence is expected in the area as authorities work to reassure the community. The suspect remains in custody.