Suspect in London sword attack charged with murder of 14-year-old boy

NOS News•today, 11:44

The man who attacked people with a sword in a London suburb on Tuesday has been charged with murder. He is being arraigned today.

A 14-year-old boy was seriously injured in the attack and later died in hospital. Two police officers and two others were also injured, but none of them are in life-threatening condition. However, one of the officers suffered serious injuries to her forearm. She had to undergo hours-long surgery to save her hand.

The suspect is a 36-year-old man with dual Spanish and Brazilian nationality. The attack began just before 7am after he crashed a vehicle into a house in Hainault, north-east London. Then he attacked people with the sword.

Flowers were laid at the scene of the attack for 14-year-old Daniel Anjorin. The school he attended remembers him as a hardworking, positive and kind boy. “The loss of such a young student is something we will never fully get over.”

A crowdfunding campaign set up by a friend of Daniel’s brother has now raised £20,000. The money is intended for the surviving relatives.

The perpetrator was arrested by officers 22 minutes after the first report to the police using an electroshock weapon. He was then taken to hospital because he suffered injuries from the collision.

The police believe that the man acted alone and do not suspect terrorism. It is not yet known what the motive was.