2024 Hainault sword attack

On 30 April 2024, a man crashed a van into a pedestrian and property in the suburban area of Hainault, London, and proceeded to randomly attack people with a sword. One victim, a 14-year-old boy named Daniel Anjorin, was killed, and four others were injured, including two police officers. A 36-year-old man was arrested at the scene after being struck by several Taser rounds and tackled to the ground.

Attack
On 30 April 2024, between 06:50 and 07:00, residents of Hainault reported hearing screaming and shouting in the street and police were called. Around this time, a man in a yellow hoodie had crashed a van into a home, also hitting a pedestrian, whereupon bystanders approached the vehicle under the assumption an accident had occurred. The attacker, who was injured in the crash, exited the van and asked a woman where he was before pulling a sword, described by witnesses as a samurai, or samurai-style sword, from his trousers and proceeding to slash at the neck of the man he had hit with the vehicle while yelling he was going to kill him.

Around fifteen minutes later, the attacker forced his way into a family home and attacked a 35-year-old man as he slept in his bed. The man's hand was seriously injured in the attack and he lost large amounts of blood. Relatives of the man credited him with protecting his family from the attacker.

Subsequently, the attacker began to approach 14-year old Daniel Anjorin from behind as the boy walked to school. Residents attempted to warn Anjorin of the danger, but witnesses claimed that he had headphones on, and so likely could not hear them. The attacker slashed the boy's neck from behind and then stabbed him in the chest, fatally wounding him. Two police officers arrived at the scene and approached Anjorin to try and help him, but the attacker appeared from a bush, prompting the officers to chase him. At one point, the attacker jumped out and slashed one of the officers as she lay on the ground and wounded the hand of the other officer.

Throughout the spree, the attacker would climb over the gardens and garages of residents and roam the area, evading police. Witnesses claimed that the man was shouting and swearing, with video footage that captured the attacker shouting "Is there anybody here who believes in God?".

At around 7:22, further police officers were able to confront the attacker in a resident's driveway. Multiple Tasers were deployed against the attacker and he was subsequently tackled to the ground and arrested by a large number of police officers.

Victims
One victim was killed and four others were injured. A 33-year-old man was wounded after being struck by a van driven by the attacker and sustaining a blade wound to the neck; a 35-year-old man was attacked in a property, receiving laceration wounds to his arm; a 14-year-old boy was stabbed in the neck and chest with the sword and later died of his injuries in hospital; while confronting the suspect, a male police officer suffered a serious hand injury, which required surgery; and a female police officer who also confronted the suspect was seriously injured in the arm, which required surgery. The 14-year-old victim would later be widely identified as Daniel Anjorin.

Investigation
A 36-year-old man was arrested at the scene and later charged with murder, two counts of attempted murder, two counts of causing grievous bodily harm, aggravated burglary, and possession of a bladed article. Police were initially unable to question the suspect, who was sent to a hospital due to injuries allegedly sustained in the vehicle crash.

The Metropolitan Police said that the attack "does not appear to be terror-related" and they did not believe it was a "targeted attack". The motive for the sword attack is as yet unknown.

Aftermath
On Sunday 5 May, around 300 people gathered at the car park of Hainault tube station to attend a vigil for Daniel Anjorin.

During the Premier League match between Arsenal and Bournemouth at the Emirates Stadium, fans paid tribute to Daniel Anjorin, who was a supporter of Arsenal. In the 14th minute, supporters held up a banner with 'RIP Daniel' on it followed by a round of applause.