Edinburgh man chases ‘blood-covered’ knife suspect with spirit stage after rampage
A shop manager chased a man wielding multiple knives with a spirit level in Edinburgh’s Calder Gardens area on Monday, March 2, after chilling video footage led to a stand off
A shop owner chased down an alleged knifeman wielding a spirit level after spotting his hands “drenched in blood.” The man captured on footage apparently carrying multiple blades, triggered a massive police operation on Calder Gardens that resulted in neighbouring schools being locked down.
Just after 9am on Monday, March 2, residents at Cobbinshaw House South were told to to “remain indoors” as one mother explained how she was unable to escort her children to school whilst the drama played out beyond her window.
Prior to officers swarming the housing estate, a man allegedly vandalised a nearby shop and attacked several individuals. Police have subsequently confirmed two people were taken to hospital.
A local employee in the vicinity revealed to Edinburgh Live how the knifeman positioned himself behind the local shops, beckoning his supervisor to approach him. The duo then observed his hands “soaked in blood” alongside the two blades he was wielding, reports Edinburgh Live.
The employee subsequently hurled a spirit level to his supervisor in a frantic attempt to arm him for protection before the manager allegedly pursued the weapon-carrying suspect towards the residential blocks as officers arrived on scene.
The worker, who requested anonymity, stated: “The man was stood outside the back of the shops and he asked my manager to come towards him. He was trying to lull him in. But I could see his hands covered in blood. And the knives were drenched in it.
“So I grabbed the spirit level and threw it to my manager. And he’s chased him onto the grass but I’ve told him to get back as he could slip.”
We begged the police to come and help and they said it’s now an armed incident. We are like what if someone gets stabbed and they just said then they’d help.
“Parents were running their kids into cars and the police just sat there. Folk were dropping off at the school. The guy was covered in blood.”
Local resident Abdul remarked: “I live above the shop and heard the panic alarms. An old woman got hit in the back of the head by a bottle of wine but then he just let her go.
“He took a swipe at one of the shop staff and the blade grazed his shoulder. The two guys in the shop were able to get away.”
Chief Inspector Scott Kennedy stated: “The earlier disturbance in the Calder area of Edinburgh is now contained and there is not believed to be any wider risk to the public.
“The incident is not being treated as terror related. Officers were called to reports of a man with a bladed weapon on Calder Gardens around 8.25am.
“Specialist resources, including firearms officers, are in attendance at a property nearby and enquiries are ongoing. Two people were injured and taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment.
“I understand this is an alarming incident for the local community. I want to reassure the public, officers will remain in the area as our enquiries continue. Anyone with information or concerns can approach these officers or call us on 101.”
