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Hainault stabbing: Tributes to Arsenal fan Daniel Anjorin, 14, ‘murdered by sword-wielding man’ as he walked to school
Teen was attacked in his school uniform as 'knifeman began slashing at people at random'
TRIBUTES have been paid to a 14-year-old boy allegedly murdered by a sword-wielding man in a terrifying rampage that left four others injured.
Daniel Anjorin was knifed in his school uniform in Hainault, East London, yesterday morning.
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Tragically, his mum Grace was seen screaming and had to be held back by police following the fatal stabbing.
Daniel's family said he was a "wonderful child, well-loved and hard-working".
The family told Sky News: "No family should have to go through what we are experiencing today.
"Any family will understand it's an absolute tragedy. His death leaves a gaping wound in the family."
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Flowers have been laid by police officers with a message which reads: "Sorry for your loss. May your beautiful son rest in peace. From NW Police Officers."
It emerged today that football-mad Arsenal fan Daniel attended Bancroft’s School in nearby Woodford Green.
Tragically, the private school is the same establishment attended by Nottingham rampage victim Grace O'Malley-Kumar.
The school, which was seen flying its flag at half-mast following the tragedy, called Daniel a “true scholar”, who had a “positive nature and gentle character”.
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It comes as...
- The alleged sword manic yelled 'Do you believe in God?' as he lunged at targets
- Horrified witnesses said Daniel was covered in blood and 'never stood a chance'
- The youngster was hailed 'talented' and went to same school as Nottingham victim
- Woman told of how she tried to warn Daniel to run
- Police chased the attacker through gardens before he was floored by three Tasers
- A 36-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder
- He was injured when he crashed his Ford van into a pedestrian and house
- Cops ruled out terrorism and are examining the suspect’s background
- Two officers were injured trying to restrain the man
Tributes have flooded in for Daniel, who was the youngest of three children from a local, church-going Nigerian family.
His mum Grace Anjorin, 49, is a science teacher, while dad Dr Ebenezer Anjorin, 59, works as a health and safety consultant.
One pal tragically revealed he was due to play football with the youngster today.
They told : "I was planning on playing football with him later today, but that's not going to happen.
"He was like a prime Messi, he could get past me very easily. He was small but very jinky. He was a very determined guy. I support Man City, he supports Arsenal, it was a good rivalry."
Moment Hainault sword attacker flees through gardens in police chase after ‘killing boy, 14, and injuring four others’
Grace's family also offered their support, with her dad Dr Sanjoy Kumar leading tributes.
He said: "You can't even imagine what the parents are going through. It's the most difficult thing for the parents to endure. We've been enduring this for many months now.
"I can tell you that the distraught the family are feeling is only felt by a few like us that have lost children in these absolutely appalling circumstances."
Locals who saw the boy walking to school every morning also described how he was left in a pool of blood following the horror.
They also told how Daniel's mum told police she had only spoken to her son "a minute ago" before he was stabbed.
Sandra said: "My daughter was about to go out. I said ‘It’s time you go out to school’, then she heard the screaming.
“Not long after I heard a scream which came from the mum. My neighbour saw her running and then she dropped and had to be held back by police.”
How the Hainault knife rampage unfolded
- 6.54am – Horror begins when van smashes into home in Laing Close injuring man, 33
- Man was then attacked and stabbed in neck
- Second man, 35, attacked inside home an suffers ‘lacerations to arm’
- Suspect filmed with huge sword walking towards New North Road
- Alleged attacker approaches woman and tries so trap her but she sprints off
- Woman tries to warn Daniel Anjorin, 14, man is stalking towards him but ‘he had headphones in’
- Onlookers claim youngster ‘drops to ground’
- Police car approaches man heads towards New North Road so he heads back down Franklyn Gardens
- Footage shows suspect standing on garage in Franklyn Gardens
- Brave cops approach man as he swings machete around
- 7.16am – suspect, 36, is Tasered and arrested in Thurlow Gardens
- Cops confirm a Daniel was killed in the horror – with two officers seriously injured, too
While another neighbour said: "My son is a physio and he ran out to see if he could try to help the boy but police and paramedics were already there.
"I remember seeing him pretending to use the wheel of his dad's new Toyota on the drive three or four years ago.
"I say hello to his parents coming and going. They are very nice people. It is awful."
The horror unfolded yesterday just before 7am when the suspect rammed a van into a home in Laing Close.
A 33-year-old man was injured when he was hit by the vehicle before being attacked by the suspect.
Terrifying footage then showed him prowling the streets armed with a huge sword as he yelled out: "Do you believe in God?"
He then allegedly began slashing at innocent passers-by at random - including a 35-year-old man in a nearby property.
The suspect then allegedly attacked tragic Daniel as the rampage continued.
Around 12 minutes later, police swarmed the area - as further footage showed the man standing on a garage.
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Police confirmed they used an incapacitant spray and Taser, which had "limited impact" against the knifeman.
In this time, two officers were attacked as the suspect fled the scene.
He was eventually arrested on suspicion of murder after being Tasered again in Thurlow Gardens at 7.16am - 22 minutes after the attack began.
The Met said they have found no trace of previous contact with the suspect so far.
They also revealed two officers suffered significant injuries, while two members of the public were also treated in hospital.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said today one officer came close to losing her hand in the attack.
A male officer also suffered serious injuries to his hand, while he described the female officer's wounds as "horrifically serious".
Sir Mark said her hand was close to be severed and she had to spend "many, many hours" on the operating table.
Police speak out on attack as tragic Daniel named
Detective Chief Inspector Larry Smith, who is leading the investigation, said: “This is an incredibly tragic incident that has resulted in a young boy losing his life and his family devastated. On behalf of the family, I would ask that their privacy is respected.
“This is a complex investigation due to the number of crime scenes, forensic evidence, hours of CCTV footage and witnesses we need to speak to. I know that many people will want answers and we are working to provide them as soon as we can. I would also echo previous calls for patience as my officers carry out a painstaking investigation to deliver justice for Daniel, his family, those injured and the wider community.
“We are starting to build a picture of what happened on Tuesday and I want to thank everyone who has come forward to share dashcam, doorbell and mobile phone footage with us.
“Likewise, thank you to witnesses, who were no doubt terrified by what they saw, and who have made vital contributions to our investigation. Anyone who has not yet spoken to police and has any information should contact us as soon as possible.”
The Met has quickly ruled out terrorism and said they believed the attack was not targeted.
The 36-year-old suspect was taken to hospital under police guard for injuries sustained by the van crash but is now in custody.
Chief Superintendent Stuart Bell said: "I want to confirm at present that we do not believe there is any ongoing threat to the wider public and we're not seeking any other persons.
"The incident does not appear to be linked to any act of terrorism.
"We do not believe this to be a targeted attack and we are establishing the circumstances at the moment."
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The force is now urging anyone with information to contact 101.
- Additional reporting by Daniel Hammond, Tom Hussey and Emily-Jane Heap
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