Family ‘traumatised’ after hero dad ‘stabbed by attacker’ shielding daughter, 4, who woke to ‘man with sword’ in room
A DAD has been praised a "hero" for protecting his four-year-old daughter when the family woke to find the Hainault sword "killer" in their bedroom.
Henry De Los Rios Polania, 35, was slashed in the arm and neck when Marcus Aurelio Arduini Monzo randomly burst into their home on Tuesday morning, it is said.
The hero dad shielded his young daughter, who was sleeping in the same room at the time.
Henry was one of four innocent people injured in the horror on Tuesday, which also claimed 14-year-old Daniel Anjorin's life.
His sister Jessica De Los Rios, 31, said: "To us, he's our hero. He protected them - my niece and my sister-in-law.
"They were just literally sleeping, opened their eyes to see a man with a big machete sword.
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"He felt helpless in the moment but to us he is our hero. It could have been extremely worse."
Jessica revealed her brother is "traumatised" by the horror and is now being treated in hospital.
She said he lost "a lot of blood", while the rest of the family have been left unable to sleep.
The 31-year-old went on to praise her brother's actions for saving his own family - and gaining a massive slice on his hand in the process.
She said: "He's very devastated to believe something like this could happen.
"He felt helpless in the moment but to us he is our hero. It could have been extremely worse."
Jessica said her brother was still in hospital nursing a deep slice in his hand.
She continued: "It's a very long process to get his hand recovered, due to this wound.
"We just have faith, but what worries me the most is how traumatised they are.
"They haven't been able to sleep.
To us, he's our hero. He protected them - my niece and my sister-in-law
Jessica De Los Rios
"It's unbelievable. These kind of things you see on the news and you never think it could happen to you.
"Unfortunately I don't think they will want to go back into the house and live there again.
"It's been extremely hard to take in such a horrific situation."
Monzo appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court yesterday charged with murder.
The 36-year-old is also accused of two counts of attempted murder, two counts of grievous bodily harm, aggravated burglary, and possession of a bladed article.
The court heard the dual Spanish-Brazilian national allegedly crashed his van then slashed at innocent Donato Iwule - threatening to kill him.
He then forced entry into Henry's home as the family slept, it was said.
The court heard how after Monzo allegedly attacked Henry, he went for young Daniel.
He allegedly ran up behind the 14-year-old and stabbed him in the neck before slashing his stomach as the schoolboy lay on ground, it is alleged/
When police arrived, Monzo allegedly jumped from a bush and attacked the female cop before allegedly injuring a second officer.
Monzo was remanded into custody to next appear at the Old Bailey on Friday.
'Ghost' who lived alone
The alleged killer describes himself as a "mystic and a musician" on his social media.
He has also previously shared footage of him sparring in a boxing gym in London.
One neighbour in Beckton, East London, today described Monzo as a "ghost" who lived alone and had no friends.
The horror unfolded on Tuesday just before 7am when a van smashed into a house in Laing Close.
The suspect was allegedly seen prowling the streets armed with a huge sword.
Neighbours said they shouted at Daniel as the attacker approached but because he was wearing headphones he didn't hear them.
As he turned around he was slashed in the face by the sword, and "didn't stand a chance," according to one witness.
No family should have to go through what we are experiencing today
Daniel's loved ones
Around 22 minutes later, the suspect was Tasered then arrested before being put under police guard in hospital.
Police confirmed two officers suffered significant injuries - including the female officer who almost lost a hand - while two members of the public were also treated in hospital.
The Met ruled out terrorism and said they did not believe the attack was targeted.
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.
Daniel's heartbroken family paid tribute to a "wonderful child" on Wednesday, saying his loss "leaves a gaping wound in the family".
They told : "No family should have to go through what we are experiencing today. Any family will understand it's an absolute tragedy."
'Murdered' schoolboy a 'true scholar'
A friend of the schoolboy described him as a "very good person" who excelled in maths, loved football and supported Arsenal.
"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."
Football-mad Arsenal fan Daniel had attended Bancroft’s School in nearby Woodford Green from the age of seven.
Tragically, the £24,990-a-year private school is the same establishment attended by Nottingham rampage victim Grace O'Malley-Kumar.
A flag at the school was flown at half mast.
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The school said: "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."