# 2024 Hainault sword attack

On 30 April 2024, a man crashed a van into a pedestrian and property in the suburban area of Hainault, London, before randomly attacking people with a sword. One victim, a 14-year-old boy named Daniel Anjorin, was killed, and four others were injured, including two police officers. A 36-year-old man, Marcus Arduini Monzo, was arrested at the scene after being struck by several Taser rounds and tackled to the ground by more responding police officers.

## Attack

On 30 April 2024, between 06:50 and 07:00, residents of Hainault reported hearing screaming and shouting in the street and police were called. Around this time, a man in a yellow hoodie had crashed a van into a property, also hitting a pedestrian, whereupon bystanders approached the vehicle under the assumption an accident had occurred. The attacker, who was injured in the crash, exited the van and asked a woman where he was before pulling a sword from his trousers and proceeding to slash at the neck of the man he had hit with the vehicle, yelling that he was going to kill him.
Around fifteen minutes later, the attacker forced his way into a family home and attacked a 35-year-old man as he slept in his bed. The man's hand was seriously injured and he lost large amounts of blood. Relatives of the man credited him with protecting his family from the attacker.
The attacker then approached 14-year old Daniel Anjorin from behind as the boy walked to school. Residents attempted to warn Anjorin of the danger, but witnesses said that he had headphones on, and so likely could not hear them. The attacker slashed the boy's neck from behind and then stabbed him in the chest, fatally wounding him. Two police officers arrived at the scene and approached Anjorin to try and help him, but the attacker jumped from a bush and slashed one of the officers as she lay on the ground and wounded the hand of the other officer.
Throughout the spree, the attacker climbed over the gardens and garages of residents to evade police. Witnesses said that the man was shouting and swearing, with video footage that captured the attacker shouting "Is there anybody here who believes in God?".
At around 7:22, further police officers were able to confront the attacker in a resident's driveway. Multiple Tasers were deployed against the attacker and he was tackled to the ground and arrested by a large number of police officers.

## Victims

One victim was killed and four others were injured. A 33-year-old man was wounded after being struck by a van driven by the attacker and sustaining a blade wound to the neck; a 35-year-old man was attacked in a property, receiving laceration wounds to his arm; a 14-year-old boy was stabbed in the neck and chest with the sword and later died of his injuries in hospital; while confronting the suspect, a male police officer suffered a serious hand injury, which required surgery; and a female police officer who also confronted the suspect was seriously injured in the arm, which required surgery. The 14-year-old victim later was identified as Daniel Anjorin. He happened to go to Bancroft's School in Woodford Green, the same that was attended by Grace O'Malley-Kumar, who was fatally stabbed in Nottingham the previous year.

## Accused

Marcus Arduini Monzo (born 11 April 1988) was arrested at the scene after being struck by several Taser rounds and tackled to the ground by police. Monzo is a dual Spanish-Brazilian national from Newham, east London and described himself on social media as a "mystic and musician". He was pictured wearing several medals that were won from a Brazilian jiu-jitsu competition. Monzo is said to have not been known to any of the victims. No motive has been ascertained, but the attack is not believed to have been targeted or terror-related.
On 1 May, Monzo was charged with the murder of Daniel Anjorin, two counts of attempted murder, two counts of grievous bodily harm, aggravated burglary, and possession of a bladed article. He appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 2 May and later at the Old Bailey on 7 May and 23 July, where a trial date was set for 3 February 2025, which was later delayed to 31 March. He has not yet entered a plea.

## Aftermath

On Sunday 5 May, around 300 people gathered at the car park of Hainault tube station to attend a vigil for Daniel Anjorin.
During the Premier League match between Arsenal and Bournemouth at the Emirates Stadium, fans paid tribute to Daniel Anjorin, who was a supporter of Arsenal. In the 14th minute, supporters held up a banner with 'RIP Daniel' on it followed by a round of applause.