The man accused of killing a 14-year-old schoolboy reportedly shouted a cryptic five-word question during his attack.
The community of Hainault, East London was left shattered on Tuesday (April 30) after a 14-year-old boy was confirmed to have died following a shocking sword attack.
According to reports, a 36-year-old suspect allegedly crashed a Transit van into a house on Thurlow Gardens before brandishing a three-foot-long sword to attack people.
The 22-minute violent rampage only ended when a policewoman tasered the alleged killer a second time before several colleagues piled on top of him.
Two civilians and two police officers were taken to hospital for their injuries, while a teenager identified as Daniel Anjorin tragically lost his life.
One woman, who saw a body on the ground as she hid by her window, alleged the man “was wielding his sword trying to attack police but then they sprayed him and he ran away."
She also claimed, as reported by The Mirror, that he "was shouting at the police and also at the ambulance crew, ‘Do you believe in God?’”
A man named James Fernando, who also witnessed the horrifying scene told the Evening Standard that he saw the teenager being struck with the sword.
"I saw a guy get out of a grey transit after crashing into a house. I saw him strike a boy with the sword. Police turned up and he ran," he told the outlet.
"I stood next to the boy. It looked like he was gone. I was in total shock. He was in sports clothes. I can’t stop seeing the boy’s face," he added.
The young victim was a student at Bancroft’s School in Woodford Green. His mother was also named as a science teacher by a nearby school.
Daniel’s headteacher expressed “great sadness” and “shock” over the death of the pupil who was reported to have loved football and mathematics.
The school’s head Simon Marshall wrote in a statement: “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," per The Independent.
“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," he continued.
Holy Family School where Daniel’s mum worked as a teacher has also issued a statement, which read: “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," they concluded.
The Metropolitan police have disclosed that the suspect is in police custody on suspicion of Daniel’s murder.
“He was arrested before being taken to hospital due to injuries from the crash,” the Met said, per The Guardian. “He is now in police custody.”
The incident was not terror-related, police have said, and they aren't looking for any other suspects.
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