Hainault stabbings: Man, 36, charged with murder of 14-year-old boy after east London sword attack

A 36-year-old man has been charged with murder after a 14-year-old boy was killed in a sword attack in east London. Marcus Aurelio Arduini Monzo, of Newham, has also been charged with two counts of attempted murder, two counts of grievous bodily harm, aggravated burglary and possession of a bladed article, the Metropolitan Police said.

The dual Spanish-Brazilian national will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (May 2). Daniel Anjorin, 14, died on Tuesday morning as he walked to school in Hainault. The attack also injured four other people, including two police officers.

The horror unfolded on Laing Close when a man armed with a sword went on a rampage. Neighbours said the attacker first spoke to a woman, asking her to confirm his location, before she saw the weapon and fled. She tried to warn the teenage victim but it was too late.

Daniel was a pupil at Bancroft’s private school in Woodford Green, which was attended by Nottingham attack victim Grace O’Malley-Kumar, also tragically killed in a knife attack last June.

Detective Chief Inspector Larry Smith, who is leading the investigation, said earlier: “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.”