Family and friends of boy stabbed to death in Hainault sword attack ‘devastated and in shock’

Friends of a 14-year-old boy killed in a sword rampage in east London have said his family are heartbroken, as his teachers praised  “a true scholar with a positive nature and gentle character”.

School leaders said they had been left devastated and in “profound shock and sorrow” at the death of Daniel Anjorin, who was attacked on his way to school in Hainault on Tuesday.

Four other people were injured, including a police officer who nearly lost her hand.

It was the second knife tragedy in less than a year to hit Bancroft’s School in Woodford Green, northeast London, after Grace O’Malley-Kumar, who was also a pupil there, was killed by Valdo Calocane in Nottingham last June.

Daniel, the son of a teacher, excelled at maths and sports, and made people smile when he walked into a room, his friends said.

Cyan Thompson, 19, told The Independent: “He was a very good person, on his way to school, and then some random person did that. For what purpose?

“I saw him the day before he was killed. My friend was supposed to go with him to school but forgot something at home and had to go back. He expected to see him in class. His mum won’t let him out of the house now.

“I’m way older but Daniel was better than me at maths.

“I was planning on playing football with him later today. He was like a prime [Lionel] Messi – he could get past me very easily. He was small but very jinky.

“He was very determined guy. I support Man City, he supports Arsenal – it was a good rivalry.

“You couldn’t help but smile when he walked into the room.”

A statement by Bancroft’s, an independent school in east London, said: “We are devastated by the heartbreaking news of the death of Daniel Anjorin, who attended our school. This has left us in profound shock and sorrow.

“Daniel joined Bancroft’s at seven years old and quickly became a core member of our community.

“He was a true scholar, demonstrating commendable dedication to his academic pursuits.

“His positive nature and gentle character will leave a lasting impact on us.

“Losing such a young pupil is something we will always struggle to come to terms with.

“We are now doing all we can to support our entire community through this most painful situation.

“Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Daniel’s family during this incredibly difficult time.”

Two police officers underwent surgery after they tried to stop the attack, while two members of the public also remained in hospital. None of their injuries is thought to be life-threatening, although Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said the officers were “very severely injured”, with a female police officer close to losing her hand.

Police said on Wednesday evening that Marcus Aurelio Arduini Monzo, 36, had been charged with murder, two counts of attempted murder, two counts of grievous bodily harm, aggravated burglary and possession of a bladed article.

King Charles offered his condolences to the teenager’s loved ones, with a spokesperson saying: “His thoughts and prayers are with all those affected – in particular, the family of the young victim who has lost his life.”

The school where Daniel’s mother worked as a teacher, Holy Family School in Walthamstow, said: “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.”

Prime minister Rishi Sunak also paid tribute to the bravery of emergency services, adding: “Such violence has no place on our streets.”

As business secretary Kemi Badenoch accused London mayor Sadiq Khan of not taking knife crime seriously, a spokesperson for Mr Khan accused her of “seeking to politicise the awful murder of a child”.

Sources said the Metropolitan Police budget, which is mostly set by the Home Office, had seen significant real-terms cuts since 2010, and that funding for preventative services had also been reduced.