Nigerian-British Schoolboy, 14, Brutally Murdered with Sword in London – Attacker Found Guilty

A man has been found guilty of murdering 14-year-old Daniel Anjorin, a Nigerian-British schoolboy, in a shocking samurai sword attack in Hainault, north-east London.

Marcus Monzo, 37, was convicted at the Old Bailey of Daniel’s murder, alongside three counts of attempted murder, wounding with intent, and possession of an offensive weapon. He faces a life sentence when he returns to court on Friday.

Daniel, a beloved son of Nigerian parents and a pupil at Bancroft’s School in Woodford Green, was walking to school in his PE kit on the morning of 30 April 2024 when he was attacked from behind by Monzo, a former Amazon deliveryl

Witnesses described Monzo screaming "in delight" and smiling after the killing. Over a span of just 20 minutes, he also attacked a pedestrian, two police officers, and a couple in their home before being subdued and arrested.

The court heard that Monzo had entered a cannabis-induced psychosis, having previously killed and skinned his own cat, and likened his actions to scenes from The Hunger Games. He claimed to suffer from memory loss and diminished responsibility, but the jury rejected that argument.

Monzo, a Spanish-Brazilian dual national living in Newham, had a history of engaging with extremist content online, including posts praising Adolf Hitler and promoting antisemitic and misogynistic ideologies.

Outside court, Met Police Chief Superintendent Stuart Bell said:

“Daniel Anjorin was a talented, gentle, and bright young man a much-loved son and brother. He was brutally murdered simply walking to school at the start of a promising life.”

Kirsty O’Connor of the Crown Prosecution Service added:

“Our hearts go out to Daniel’s family, whose unimaginable loss came in horrific circumstances. We also honour the courage of police and emergency responders who helped stop further tragedy.”

Monzo will be sentenced at the Old Bailey on Friday, where the judge has already signalled that he should expect a life term.