A dogwalker who was stabbed to death on Monday afternoon has been named and pictured for the first time. Wayne Broadhurst, 49, died during the attack in Uxbridge, northwest London, on October 27. Two others were injured in what police called a “senseless act of violence”.
An Afghan national, who entered the country in a lorry in 2020, has allegedly been arrested over the fatal stabbing. The man was granted asylum in 2022. Officials also confirmed that he is not resident in an asylum hotel or any other Home Office accommodation, despite claims on social media.
The Metropolitan Police added that the suspect “lived in a private residential address”.
A Home Office spokesperson said: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of those impacted by this horrific incident. We are receiving regular updates from the Metropolitan Police. The priority must now be for the police to investigate so those responsible can be brought to justice.”
Police and ambulance crews were called to Midhurst Gardens in Uxbridge at around 5pm on Monday, where the three victims were stabbed.
Mr Broadhurst was treated at the scene but died, while another man, aged 45, suffered life-changing injuries, police said.
A 14-year-old boy was also stabbed, but his injuries are not life-threatening or changing.
The attack is not being treated as terrorism, and detectives are working to establish any relationship between the suspect and the three victims, the Metropolitan Police said.
The Met said a 22-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.
Mr Broadhurst was a bin man, a neighbour in Uxbridge said. She added: “I’ve been here two years and would see him walk past the window.”
The victim of the attack was described as “the last person on Earth that you would think somebody would go for”.
She said she took some flowers and a box of shortbread over for his wife and added that on Monday he was “just doing the normal dog walk that he does every day”.
She said: “I still can’t get over it. If he was five or 10 minutes later taking the dog out would the same thing have happened?”
On Tuesday night, a group of around 100 men, women and children gathered to lay flowers near the police tape at the junction between Midhurst Gardens and Leybourne Road, with some lighting candles.
Chief Superintendent Jill Horsfall said: “This was a shocking and senseless act of violence that has left one man dead and two others injured. Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and friends at this unimaginably difficult time.
“The incident will have understandably caused concern to the local community. I have deployed multiple officers to the local area, they will be here throughout the week to provide reassurance while detectives work intensely to piece together the circumstances.
“I understand that there has been a lot of speculation online following on from this incident. We ask that you rely on us for information, and that you do not share sensitive footage.
“If anyone saw or has any information about the incident, then please come forward to police. We appreciate any information that you may have.
“There will be a crime scene and a heavy police presence within the area over the next few days, I thank residents for their patience.”
Anyone with information can call police on 101 quoting the reference 5129/27OCT, or to remain anonymous contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or online.