Boy, 14, killed in sword attack on his way to school is pictured

He was unknown to the attacker.

The schoolboy stabbed to death with a sword in Hainault has been named as Daniel Anjorin.

The 14-year-old was killed near Hainault Tube station yesterday morning after a man crashed his van and then stabbed five people in an untargeted attack.

Daniel was a pupil at private school Bancroft’s in Woodford Green, the same school in east London attended by Grace O’Malley-Kumar, a medical student who was murdered in a knife attack in Nottingham last summer.

In a statement on its website, independent school Bancroft’s said: ‘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. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Daniel’s family during this incredibly difficult time.’

Headteacher Simon Marshall wrote a letter to parents expressing ‘great sadness and shock’ at Daniel’s death.

According to the BBC, he described the teenager as a ‘much-loved’ member of the school, and added: ‘I had been intending to write to you once the news has become public, but I understand that many within our community may already be aware of events yesterday.

‘It is therefore with great sadness and shock that I am writing to inform you of the tragic death of Daniel Anjorin, one of our pupils.

‘Our thoughts and prayers at this moment are with Daniel’s family and friends.

‘More details will be forthcoming over the coming hours and days, but for now, our focus is on supporting the members of our community and particularly those who knew Daniel well.’

He described him as a ‘true scholar’ who had a ‘positive nature and gentle character’.

The statement went on: ‘It seems scarcely believable that less than a year on from the terrible death of Grace O’Malley-Kumar in the Nottingham attacks we are facing fresh sorrow.’

The school’s flag is flying at half mast today.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed today that the schoolboy was unknown to the attacker.

In a statement, the force gave further details of how the sword attack unfolded saying: ‘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.

‘The suspect then went on to attack Daniel Anjorin who, as we know, tragically died from his injuries.

‘Officers arrived at the scene within 12 minutes of the first call. They used their Pava incapacitant spray and Taser, however these had limited impact.

‘Two officers were subsequently attacked by the suspect, causing serious injuries. They will require long-term rehabilitation to help them recover.

‘The suspect fled again before being surrounded by other officers in Thurlow Gardens. They used Taser to overpower him.’

A science teacher at the Holy Family Catholic School in Waltham has been confirmed to be Daniel’s mother.

In a letter to parents, the school said Mrs Anjorin’s son was ‘taken from this life suddenly’ on his way to school.

The statement read: ‘Dear Parents/Carers, It is with great sadness that I share with you the news of the death of the child of one of our staff members.

‘Please keep Mrs Anjorin, her husband and their other children in your prayers. Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.’

Ms O’Malley-Kumar’s parents, said on Good Morning Britain, they hope to offer their support to the boy’s family.

Her father Dr Sanjoy Kumar said: ‘You can’t even imagine what the parents are going through. It’s the most difficult thing for the parents to endure. We’ve been enduring this for many months now.

‘I can tell you that the distraught the family are feeling is only felt by a few like us that have lost children in these absolutely appalling circumstances.’

Four other victims, including two police officers, remain in hospital but their conditions are not believed to be life-threatening.

A 36-year-old man remains in hospital after he was arrested 22 minutes following the first 999 call.

Officers have not yet been able to interview him due to his injuries.

Neighbour James Fernando, who witnesses the attack, recalled the moment Daniel, was killed.

He said the suspect has asked one of his neighbours to ‘take the telephone from him to tell whoever was on the phone his location’.

He added: ‘Within two seconds after that she’s realised something isn’t right, started running and he’s pulled a samurai sword from the back of his trouser.

‘She’s shouted to the other neighbour – a Nigerian boy who was on his way to school.

‘It’s quite traumatising now. I can’t stop envisioning the boy’s face.’

Footage shows police approaching him as he brandishes his weapon, before Tasering and arresting him.

Witnesses have described the moment they saw a man armed with a huge sword walking from house to house.

Manpreet Singh, manager of Redbridge Radio Cars, was at work in the taxi firm’s office at Hainault Tube station when the attack began.

Mr Singh told Metro: ‘I saw about six or seven people going in and out of Franklyn Gardens and people coming up to the train station saying there was a guy with a machete.

‘It looked like there was one man who had stabbed someone and the other people in the street were bystanders on their way to work who had tried to fight him off.

‘A guy walked up the road who had been stabbed in his neck. He was saying “I’ve been stabbed, I’ve been stabbed” and walking towards the police.’

He continued: ‘Because of the size of the weapon it looked like they tried to intervene but not been able to fight him off.

‘When we came out the police cars were there and the guy came running from Franklyn Gardens towards Thurlow Gardens. He tried to get into a house but there was a dog there.

‘He tried to get into another house but the police got him under control by tasering him.’

The Metropolitan Police said officers are not looking for more suspects and the attack ‘does not appear to be terror-related’.

Detective Chief Inspector Larry Smith, who is leading the investigation, said: ‘This is an incredibly tragic incident that has resulted in a young boy losing his life and his family devastated.

‘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.’

The first officers on scene used Pava incapacitant spray and Taser however these had ‘limited impact’, police said.

The attacker was arrested before being taken to hospital due to injuries from the crash. He is now in police custody.

Speaking earlier today on LBC, Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, said: ‘Officers were on the ground in 12 minutes and the attacker was detained in 22 minutes. Videos shown on social media and media websites show what the situation was really like for the officers. It is not a glib phrase when we say they run towards danger. Officers are so connected to the idea that it’s their job to protect the public that they instinctively do this.

‘It is a privilege to lead and work with my officers; meeting them and listening to them is humbling. Nineteen officers a day are injured in London, seven days a week, 365 days a year. This is the background context to officers going about their work, making arrests, protecting people.’

Police added: ‘We are aware of speculation about previous police contact with the suspect. Urgent checks of our systems have so far found no trace of a prior incident so far but we are working to be absolutely certain.’

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