Westminster knifeman ‘wanted to be shot dead’ by police

A knifeman Tasered and arrested just yards from where Parliamentary Police Constable Keith Palmer was murdered by a jihadist was on a “death by cop” suicide mission, a court heard. Eniola Mustafa Aminu was armed with a nine-inch kitchen knife as he approached the entrance to the Palace of Westminster on June 16. The 27-year-old, from Greenwich. was Tasered by officers near the Carriage Gates entrance. The powerfully-built 27-year-old fought as officers tried to detain him, Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard. Metropolitan Police Service Sergeant Jonathan Pope was left with cuts to his arm as he wrestled Aminu to the ground, believing he was dealing with a potential terrorist. The incident happened three months after Westminster Bridge attacker Khalid Masood stabbed to death PC Palmer as he guarded Westminster’s Carriage Gates. Aminu pleaded guilty on Monday (August 21) to possessing an offensive weapon in a public place. He denied assaulting a constable in the execution of his duty and the charge was dropped. Prosecutor Sian Morgan said Aminu claimed he brought the knife because he “wanted the police to shoot me”. She added: “He told medical practitioners he wanted to die.” Neil Allan, defending, said Aminu was “clearly a vulnerable young man with serious mental health issues”, adding: “This was not a political act. He simply wanted to die and wanted the officers to shoot him.” Deputy senior district judge Tan Ikram said mental health services had been aware of Aminu for a year prior to the incident. He will be sentenced on September 19 at Southwark Crown Court.