A man has been taken to hospital with "serious injuries" following a stabbing in north Belfast.
One man has been arrested and remains in custody.
Police attended the incident on Kinnaird Avenue at about 22:30 BST on Monday.
The justice minister praised the "brave people who disarmed the attacker".
"I would ask people not to share the very graphic images and footage of the attack," she said.
"They are deeply disturbing and traumatising to view," she added.
The deputy first minister described it as a "shocking and brutal act of violence", adding that her thoughts are with the victim of the "savage and barbaric attack".
"This act of hatred has no place in our society, and certainly no place on the streets of Northern Ireland," said Emma Little-Pengelly.
"People have a right to feel safe in their community, and there can be absolutely no tolerance for such barbaric violence.
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) received a 999 call at 22:39 BST, after which they dispatched one emergency ambulance and an advanced paramedic to the scene.
Following assessment and initial treatment at the scene, the victim was taken to Royal Victoria Hospital.
Sinn Féin MP John Finucane called the attack "appalling".
"This is deeply shocking, there is no place for violence of any kind in our communities."
Paul McCusker, an independent councillor in the area, said some residents witnessed the incident.
"One lady said she had to go to hospital herself because of the stress of witnessing such a brutal attack," he said.
McCusker praised the "brave residents" who he said intervened to stop the attack.
"I've never seen an attack like this happen on the streets of north Belfast," he added.
McCusker said it is important that, despite fear and anger surrounding the incident, local people support police in their investigations.
"We need to support family and support residents who witnessed this last night."
Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) leader Jon Burrows also called the incident a "barbaric attack", adding that it has "caused shock across not only Northern Ireland but the entire United Kingdom".
