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WAS RUSSELL SQUARE KNIFEMAN RADICALISED?

Anti-terror cops to examine teen’s computer amid claims knifeman was influenced by ISIS

A NEIGHBOUR claims Zakaria Bulham may have been influenced by the terror group as others reveal he was mentally unwell

SUSPECTED Russell Square killer Zakaria Bulham may have been influenced by ISIS, a neighbour has claimed.

Counter terror officers are expected to inspect the 19-year-old's computers today following Wednesday night's deadly rampage, though police say they have not found any evidence of radicalisation.

 Suspect Zakariah Bulham was today described as a quiet and shy teenager
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Suspect Zakariah Bulham was today described as a quiet and shy teenager
 Darlene Horton, the tragic wife of US professor who lost her life in the horrific attack
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Darlene Horton, the tragic wife of US professor who lost her life in the horrific attackCredit: PA:Press Association
 Israeli Yovel Lewkowski was also injured in the deadly rampage
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Israeli Yovel Lewkowski was also injured in the deadly rampageCredit: Facebook

American Diane Horton died from her injuries, while five others were injured after being slashed with a kitchen knife.

Speaking outside Bulham's south Tooting home, neighbour Parmjit Singh today said the youngster was "impressionable" but a "good boy" at heart.

"He wasn't working, he was hanging around with Somalian boys and I think they had possible links to serious ISIS people - not directly, but they see all this stuff and are inspired by it."

So far, police say there is no ­evidence the attack was linked to terrorism after raiding a number of addresses.

Parmjit added: "His friends are always putting each other up to things - steal a bottle of coke, take his sunglasses, pull the cord on her rucksack.

"He was very impressionable growing up, always playing football. But he was a good boy at heart. It's a real shock to the whole community."

The 36-year-old added: "I knew him for seven years. I watched him grow up. It is shocking news, almost absurd that a young boy, quite a gentleman, polite, posh, quite academic.

"All the neighbours are in disbelief, that's the bottom line. We didn't even know their surname until we saw the news."

Today a police source also said they were expecting counter-terror officers to confiscate and probe his computers and electronic equipment.

It also emerged he was mentally unwell - amid claims he tried to commit suicide three times in the past six months.

A neighbour told : "He is a good boy, he has never been (in) trouble. He has been very unwell.

 A police officer exits Bulham's Tooting home which is being searched by cops today
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A police officer exits Bulham's Tooting home which is being searched by cops todayCredit: PA:Press Association

"He wanted to kill himself. I saw his mother with an ambulance outside their flat and she said Zak had called it because he wanted to hurt himself.

"He called the ambulance about two more times because he was feeling unwell. His mother was very afraid."

The teenager, a Norwegian of Somali origin, moved to Britain in 2002.

The teenager went on to study at Graveney Secondary School in the sixth form, where Mr Bhamra himself had gone.


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