Man charged in connection with alleged Edinburgh stabbing incident which left two injured

Police issued a warning to residents to stay indoors as armed officers, paramedics and fire crews surrounded the building. Nearby schools and nurseries were also locked down amidst the chaos.

It is believed the alleged knifeman ransacked a shop before a man and woman were injured. The male victim suffered non-life threatening stab wounds while the woman was left with a head laceration which police said was ‘not believed to be caused by a bladed weapon’.

A man then barricaded himself inside an 11th floor flat at Cobbinshaw House. What followed was a stand-off which lasted several hours, during which a man was seen grinning out of the window of the flat and jeering at onlookers.

Shocked residents watched on as officers engaged with the suspect, but police were forced to widen the cordon after members of the public began shouting abuse at the alleged knifeman.

Those living in the building were also told they must not leave their flats, with many peering out their windows to watch the events unfold below.

Mary Todd, 55, a resident on the 7th floor, described the moment she heard shouting and decided to flee the building. She said: “A friend phoned to tell me the building was in lockdown. I went to the living room and looked out the window and I saw it all. I could hear shouting. I managed to get out of the building but I was told I couldn’t get back in.

“My daughter was scared. I was telling her to calm down, everything will be okay. It was a bit stressful. What makes someone do this, especially on a Monday morning?”

Another resident said the situation had left many in the area “worried and bewildered”.

Speaking yesterday, she said: “It's pretty crazy here. All I can see are fire engines, police cars, ambulances and tonnes of police officers everywhere. There are kids in Sighthill Primary School but they're not being allowed out. Cobbinshaw House looks right directly into the school so it's in lockdown.

“Some couldn't get into the school this morning but those who are inside definitely aren't being allowed out. It must be so scary for them. Residents are all standing around bewildered and just wondering what's going on.”

Police confirmed at around 4pm on Monday that a man had been arrested in connection with the incident, which a spokesman said was “not being treated as terror-related”.

They have now confirmed that a 23-year-old man, who is understood to be a Chad national who has lived in Edinburgh since 2023, has been charged in connection with the incident.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “A 23-year-old man arrested yesterday in connection with a disturbance in Edinburgh has now been charged.

“At around 8.25am on Monday, March 2, police, including firearms officers, attended the Calder Gardens area following reports of a man with a bladed weapon.

“Two people were injured and taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment. A man suffered injuries consistent with being stabbed. A woman suffered a laceration to the head, not believed to be caused by a bladed weapon. Both have since been discharged.

“The incident is not being treated as terror related. The man is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Wednesday, March 4.”

Chief Inspector Scott Kennedy said: "I’m aware misinformation continues to be shared online about this incident which could cause further distress in the local community. I’d like to be clear: we did not receive any reports of a man attempting to enter a nursery or any educational establishment and this was not a hostage situation.

“While we understand what happened was frightening, I’d ask people to avoid speculating about the details and be mindful that false information could affect any future court proceedings.

“We still have a police presence in the area for reassurance and I thank the public for their continued assistance and support.”

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