Hainault sword attack: 36-year-old man charged with murder after 14-year-old boy killed

A 36-year-old man has been charged with murder over the death of a teenage boy in a sword attack in east London earlier this week.

Marcus Aurelio Arduini Monzo has been charged with the murder of 14-year-old Daniel Anjorin, the Metropolitan Police said.

He has also been charged with two counts of attempted murder, two counts of grievous bodily harm, aggravated burglary and possession of a bladed article following the sword attack.

Monzo, a dual Spanish Brazilian national from Newham, will appear at Barkingside Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

Jaswant Narwal, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS London North, said: “The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised the Metropolitan Police to charge Marcus Arduini Monzo with the murder of 14-year-old Daniel Anjorin, who was fatally stabbed in Hainault on Tuesday April 30.

“A further four people – including two police officers – were seriously injured and Monzo has also been charged with two counts of attempted murder, two counts of grievous bodily harm, aggravated burglary and possession of a bladed article.

“He will appear at Barkingside Magistrates’ Court on May 2 2024.

“Our thoughts remain firmly with the family of the Daniel and all those who have been impacted by this horrific incident.

“We remind all concerned that criminal proceedings against the defendant are active and that they have a right to a fair trial.

“It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”

Tributes were paid to the teenager who was fatally stabbed as he made his way to £23,000-a-year Bancroft’s School - the same school Nottingham attack victim Grace O’Malley-Kumar attended before university.

Lisa McDonald, head of Woodford Green Preparatory, a feeder to Bancroft’s wrote to parents on Wednesday with a “heavy heart and profound sadness” announcing the Year 9 pupil’s death.

She added: “The news of his passing is a devastating blow to his family, friends and the entire school community.

“It is difficult to comprehend such a tragic loss, especially so soon after the heartbreaking incident involving Grace O’Malley-Kumar, whose memory we continue to honour.

“Our thoughts and prayers extend to the family, friends, and everyone touched by his presence at Bancroft’s and, [at] this time of immense grief, we stand together in solidarity and support.”

The Met Police on Wednesday revealed details of the chronology of Monday’s shocking attack, which led to two men and two police officers being injured, and to Daniel’s death.

A 33-year-old man was struck when a man crashed his van into a property in Laing Close, said the Met. He was then attacked by the suspect and suffered a wound to his neck.

The suspect then attacked a 35-year-old man inside a nearby property, said police. The man suffered lacerations to his arm.

The suspect is said to have then gone on to attack Daniel Anjorin, who died from his injuries..

The flag at Bancroft school was flown half mast on Wednesday as the school paid its respects to 14-year-old Daniel.

Friend Cyan Thompson, 19, said Daniel “was top notch”.

He added: I can’t believe has gone. He was such a good person with great manners. He was so caring. He loved football and was like a mini Messi when he was younger. He also loved Arsenal.

“I was due to have a football session with him in next couple of days. He was so bright with a great future ahead, very good at solving maths problems. We are heartbroken. Another of our friends had seen him the morning he died. He is devastated his mum is scared to let him out.

“Daniel is from a lovely family he gave joy when you saw him. “

Friends of the family Janti Charalambous and Ade Caxton-Cole paid tribute to him as “a good boy” and “a lovely boy”.

“[The family] are in shock and are very heartbroken,” they said. “Such a young boy taken away from a family.

“It is sad it has happened in a community and family like this. It is heart-breaking. We are all supporting them in any way they need.”

Flowers were laid in tribute near the scene of the incident on Wednesday, along with a teddy bear with a sign reading “RIP little angel”.

A bouquet was laid by police officers with a message which read: “Sorry for your loss. May your beautiful son rest in peace. From NW Police Officers.”

A note on another bunch of flowers read: “RIP young man. Evil world we live in. Hugs to family xxx”.

The school where Daniel’s mother worked as a teacher, Holy Family Catholic School in Walthamstow, said in a statement: “It is with great sadness that I share with you the news of the death of the child of one of our staff members.

“Mrs Anjorin's son was taken from this life suddenly this morning on his way to school. Please keep Mrs Anjorin, her husband and their other children in your prayers.”

Scotland Yard chief Sir Mark Rowley described the 22-minute incident in Hainault as “horrific” and “everyone’s worst nightmare”.

The Metropolitan Police Commissioner said a female police officer came close to losing her hand.

Sir Mark told LBC Radio: “People say officers run towards danger, what you’ve actually seen on some of the videos that are sort of around social media and on new sites such as your own, you actually see what that really looks like. You’ve got officers running towards someone who’s waving a sword.

“We were on the ground in 12 minutes, and he was detained after 22 minutes. Obviously some of the first contacts led to officers being very severely injured.

“I went to hospital yesterday to see the officers and their families. I saw the inspector whose hand is badly damaged.

“I saw him before the operation and he was in good spirits. He’s got a lot of patching up to be done on his hand.

“I was talking to the family and colleagues of the woman officer with a badly damaged arm, really seriously damaged. The surgeons spent many hours basically putting her arm back together. It will be a long journey of recovery.”

Responding to reports, she nearly lost her hand, Sir Mark he told host Nick Ferrari: “That’s not a million miles away. It’s really horrifically serious injuries.”

He said medics are increasing optimistic the two officers will be make a full recovery after surgeons spent hours reattaching nerves and vessels, but it might take “months and years”.

Speaking about the young victim who died, Britain’s most senior police officer added: “The first thing you have to say is for the parents involved, who’ve lost their 14-year-old, and that is just horrific, and it’s everyone’s worst nightmare.

“I’m sure we’re all thinking about them.”

Neighbour James Fernando, who tried to help Daniel as he lay dying, told the Standard he was “a nice lad”.

Mr Fernando said: “He was just going about his business, the poor boy.

“He never did anything bad to anyone and then he is attacked with a sword. I was there after but I could tell he wouldn’t pull through. I can’t get that boy’s face out of my head.”

Buckingham Palace said King Charles’s “thoughts and prayers are with all those affected”.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak described the incident as “shocking”, adding: “Such violence has no place on our streets”.

He paid tribute to those affected by the attack at the start of Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday.

The Prime Minister told the Commons: “I know that the thoughts of the whole House are with the people of Hainault in east London following yesterday’s appalling attack.

“Such violence has no place on our streets. It is absolutely heart-breaking that a teenage boy has died and I can’t imagine what his family are going through, and we send them our heartfelt condolences and offer our very best wishes to all those injured.

“I would just like to reiterate my thanks to the police and other emergency first responders for embodying the highest standards of public service under such awful circumstances.”