Westminster knifeman on ‘death by cop’ mission is detained under Mental Health Act

A knifeman Tasered and arrested just yards from where Parliamentary Police Constable Keith Palmer was murdered by a jihadist has been detained under the Mental Health Act. Eniola Mustafa Aminu – armed with a nine-inch kitchen knife as he approached the entrance to the Palace of Westminster on June 16 – was on a “death by cop” suicide mission, a court heard. The 27-year-old, from Greenwich. was Tasered near the Carriage Gates entrance. The powerfully-built man fought as officers tried to detain him, Westminster Magistrates’ Court was told last month. 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 claimed he brought the knife because he “wanted the police to shoot me”. 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.” Aminu pleaded guilty to the possession of an offensive weapon at Southwark Crown Court. He denied assaulting a constable in the execution of his duty and the charge was discontinued. When he appeared for sentencing on Tuesday (September 19), the court ordered him to be detained under section 37 of the Mental Health Act.