Vigil in memory of boy killed in sword attack in Hainaut

More than 300 people gathered at a vigil Sunday to pay tribute to Daniel Anjorin, a teenager killed in a sword attack while walking to school.

Daniel, 14, was attacked with a sword in Hainault, east London, and suffered fatal injuries to his neck and chest.

A grieving community gathered in the car park of Hainault tube station, just metres from the scene of the incident, on Sunday morning to pay tribute to Daniel and offer messages of support to his grieving family.

Daniel’s family was not present at the vigil.

Harris, a 17-year-old boy who knew Daniel but asked that his last name remain anonymous, told the crowd: “He was a kid who had no problems. I don’t mean that like that.”

“He never did anything wrong. He focused on school, he got good grades, he went to church.

“His family appreciates all your support. They’ve noticed everything you do in the community, fundraising, Arsenal too. They’ve noticed everything.

“On their behalf, thank you all.”

Daniel died on Tuesday when a gunman went on a rampage. Marcus Aurelio Arduini Monzo, a Spanish-Brazilian citizen living in Newham, was charged with the teenager’s murder and appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

In a statement released by the Metropolitan Police on Saturday, the family said: “As a family we are devastated by the loss of our beloved son Daniel. “It is difficult for us at this time to comprehend what has happened to him and to know that he will never come home. Daniel had left home to go to school and then he had gone away.

“Our children have lost their loving and precious brother and we have lost the most beloved and amazing son.

“We would like to extend our best wishes to the other victims of this unthinkable incident.

“We would also like to thank the local community for all their support during this very difficult time.

“We ask the media to respect our privacy and refrain from contacting us or our family.”

Arsenal paid tribute to Daniel, who was a fan of the London club, ahead of their Premier League match against Bournemouth on Saturday.

During the match, there was also a moment of applause throughout the Emirates Stadium in the 14th minute, with a banner reading “RIP Daniel” among the crowd.