The 14-year-old boy killed in the sword attacks in north-east London was praised as a “true scholar” by his school, the same one attended by one of the victims of the 2023 Nottingham stabbings.
The teenager, named by police as Daniel Anjorin, was a student at the private Bancroft’s school in Woodford Green, which is still reeling from losing former student Grace O’Malley-Kumar in the June 2023 Nottingham stabbings.
Daniel’s mother worked at the Holy Family Catholic school in Walthamstow, east London. A statement on the school’s website said: “It is with great sadness that I share with you the news of the death of the child of one of our staff members.
“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.”
At Bancroft school, a statement told of the grief of pupils and staff as they learned the identity of the schoolboy who was stabbed in the street, it is believed on his way to school: “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.”
The man suspected of carrying out the stabbings in Hainault will be questioned by detectives after doctors declared him fit to leave hospital and formally enter police custody. The 36-year-old was arrested at the scene of the 22-minute rampage that left Daniel dead and four others injured.
Detectives are consulting with the homicide division of the Crown Prosecution Service as they consider whether or not to bring criminal charges.
The suspect sustained injuries after a vehicle crashed into a house, before video showed him clutching a bladed weapon and shouts of panic and terror as he moved around the area. He was detained after being subdued by an electric stun gun.
Two police officers were recovering in hospital after sustaining significant injuries. Surgeons trying to save one female officer’s arm had to reattach nerves and blood vessels during an emergency operation.
Det Ch Insp Larry Smith, leading the investigation, said: “This is an incredibly tragic incident that has resulted in a young boy losing his life and his family devastated.”
The Metropolitan police said: “We know that a 33-year-old man was struck when the suspect crashed his van into the property in Laing Close. He was then attacked by the suspect and suffered a wound to his neck.
“A 35-year-old man suffered lacerations to his arm when he was attacked inside a nearby property.”
Police said Daniel, who lived nearby, was attacked next. It is believed he happened on the scene and a man swiped the sword in his direction. Officers then tried to subdue the suspect, but an incapacitant spray was ineffective. It was after this the two officers in hospital were attacked.
More officers then came face to face with the suspect. The Met said: “The suspect fled again before being surrounded by other officers in Thurlow Gardens. They used Taser to overpower him.”
The Metropolitan police commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, hailed the bravery of his officers and gave further details of the trauma the two officers had suffered after confronting the suspect.
Rowley told LBC radio: “I saw the [male] inspector whose hand is badly damaged. I saw him before the operation, and he was in good spirits. But he’s got a lot of patching up to be done on his hand. Really serious injuries there.
“And I was talking to the family and colleagues of the woman officer who’s really badly damaged [her] arm, really seriously damaged and the surgeon spent … many, many hours basically putting her arm back together. It will be a long journey of recovery.”
There was concern on Tuesday that the female officer had sustained injuries so severe that she might lose her hand. Rowley said: “It’s really horrifically serious injuries. Based on what the surgeon was saying yesterday, we’re increasingly optimistic that with months and years and lots of physio, full recovery may be possible.”