Hero dad ‘stabbed by attacker while protecting sleeping daughter, 4, who ‘opened her eyes to see a man with a big sword’
ONE of the victims of the Hainault rampage has been hailed a hero for saving his family – after his daughter woke to the alleged sword-wielding killer.
Henry De Los Rios Polania, 35, was one of the four innocent people injured amid the horror, which claimed young Daniel Anjorin‘s life.
Their alleged attacker, Marcus Aurelio Arduini Monzo, today appeared in court after being charged with murder.
Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard how Monzo, 36, allegedly crashed his van then slashed at a man threatening to kill him.
He then forced entry into a random home where a family and their four-year-old daughter were sleeping, it was said.
Monzo is accused of using a Samurai sword to attack the dad in the arm and neck as he shouted about God before leaving the house.
That man was Henry, his sister said.
Jessica De Los Rios, 31, has now told of how the bloodshed has left her brother “traumatised”.
The 31-year-old went on to praise her brother’s actions for saving his own family – and gaining a massive slice on his hand in the process.
She said: “He’s very devastated to believe something like this could happen.
“To us, he’s our hero. He protected them – my niece and my sister-in-law.
“They were just literally sleeping, opened their eyes to see a man with a big machete sword.
“He felt helpless in the moment but to us he is our hero. It could have been extremely worse.”
Jessica said her brother was still in hospital nursing a deep slice in his hand.
The 31-year-old continued: “It’s a very long process to get his hand recovered, due to this wound.
“We just have faith, but what worries me the most is how traumatised they are.
“They haven’t been able to sleep.
“It’s unbelievable. These kind of things you see on the news and you never think it could happen to you.
“Unfortunately I don’t think they will want to go back into the house and live there again.
“It’s been extremely hard to take in such a horrific situation.”
The court today heard how after Monzo allegedly attacked Henry, he went for young Daniel.
He was said to have shouted at God before rushing out of the house.
He then allegedly ran up behind Daniel and stabbed him in the neck before slashing his stomach as the schoolboy lay on ground, the court heard.
When police arrived, Monzo allegedly jumped from a bush and attacked the female cop before allegedly injuring a second officer.
Monzo was remanded into custody to next appear at the Old Bailey on Friday.
The alleged killer describes himself as a “mystic and a musician” on his social media.
He has also previously shared footage of him sparring in a boxing gym in London.
One neighbour in Beckton, East London, today described Monzo as a “ghost” who lived alone and had no friends.
The horror unfolded on Tuesday just before 7am when a van smashed into a house in Laing Close.
The suspect was allegedly seen prowling the streets armed with a huge sword.
Neighbours said they shouted at Daniel as the attacker approached but because he was wearing headphones he didn’t hear them.
As he turned around he was slashed in the face by the sword, and “didn’t stand a chance,” according to one witness.
Around 22 minutes later, the suspect was Tasered then arrested before being put under police guard in hospital.
Police confirmed two officers suffered significant injuries – including the female officer who almost lost a hand – while two members of the public were also treated in hospital.
The Met ruled out terrorism and said they did not believe the attack was targeted.
Tributes have flooded in for Daniel, who was the youngest of three children from a local, church-going Nigerian family.
His mum Grace Anjorin, 49, is a science teacher, while dad Dr Ebenezer Anjorin, 59, works as a health and safety consultant.
Daniel’s heartbroken family paid tribute to a “wonderful child” on Wednesday, saying his loss “leaves a gaping wound in the family”.
They told Sky News: “No family should have to go through what we are experiencing today. Any family will understand it’s an absolute tragedy.”
A friend of the schoolboy described him as a “very good person” who excelled in maths, loved football and supported Arsenal.
Cyan Thompson, 19, told the Independent: “I’m way older but Daniel was better than me at maths. I was planning on playing football with him later today, but that’s not going to happen.
“He was like a prime Messi, he could get past me very easily. He was small but very jinky. He was a very determined guy. I support Man City, he supports Arsenal, it was a good rivalry.”
Football-mad Arsenal fan Daniel had attended Bancroft’s School in nearby Woodford Green from the age of seven.
Tragically, the £24,990-a-year private school is the same establishment attended by Nottingham rampage victim Grace O’Malley-Kumar.
A flag at the school was yesterday flown at half mast.
The school said: “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.”
A GoFundMe page launched on behalf of Daniel’s older brother has raised more than £29,000.