Father, 35, ‘attacked by sword-wielding killer’ posts hospital replace
A father who was injured in the sword attack in east London while ‘protecting his wife and four-year-old daughter’ has thanked the emergency services and his family for saving his life.
Henry De Los Rios Polania, 35, an IT engineer from Hainault, is currently in hospital after being stabbed in his home on Tuesday morning in a shocking attack that left 14-year-old Daniel Anjorin dead.
Four others were seriously injured during the 22-minute reign of terror on Tuesday, including a heroic female police officer who almost lost a hand.
Mr De Los Rios Polania was described by his sister, Jessica De Los Rios, 31, as a ‘hero’ for protecting his family from the assailant and he has since shared a photo to social media from his hospital bed, with a message thanking those who saved his life.
‘I would like to start by thanking all the nurses, paramedics, and the doctors on the NHS for keeping me alive,’ he said in a post to Instagram Stories, also sending gratitude to the police ‘for risking their lives’.
Henry De Los Rios Polania, 35, an IT engineer from Hainault, is currently in hospital after being stabbed in his home on Tuesday morning
Henry De Los Rios Polania, 35, (pictured) suffered injuries when a knifeman broke into his family home, his sister said
Daniel Anjorin, pictured here with his mother Grace, was tragically killed during an attack in Hainault on Tuesday
A photo of a man prowling the streets of Hainault on Tuesday
He also thanked ‘friends and family’ and all those who made sure he did not ‘bleed out’.
Mr De Los Rios Polania added: ‘I’m recovering. I have a long journey ahead but I’m very positive that this trauma will end soon.’
Marcus Arduini Monzo, 36, a dual Spanish-Brazilian national living in Newham, east London, has appeared in court accused of murdering Daniel Anjorin as he was walking to school on Tuesday, and injuring four other people.
Ms De Los Rios previously revealed that her brother was recovering in hospital after sustaining a deep wound to his hand.
‘It’s a very long process to get his hand recovered, due to this wound,’ she said, adding: ‘He’s awake, he’s in hospital,’ but ‘he lost a lot of blood’ and ‘it’s going to be a really long, traumatising recovery for him.
‘He’s very devastated to believe something like this could happen,’ she said, adding: ‘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.’
Daniel Anjorin was stabbed in the neck and chest in the horrifying attack
Daniel, pictured here wearing a red and blue Spiderman costume, was on his way to school when he was attacked
Floral tributes at the scene of the sword attack in Laing close in Hainault
Mr De Los Rios Polania and his family are originally from Colombia but have lived in the UK for several years.
Marcus Arduini Monzo, 36, appeared in court yesterday accused of Daniel’s murder along with two counts of attempted murder, two counts of grievous bodily harm, aggravated burglary, and possession of a bladed article.
David Burns, prosecuting, said Monzo allegedly drove a van at speed at Donato Iwule, who was walking on the street, before exiting the vehicle and slashing him around the neck, leaving an injury that required hospital treatment.
Monzo then forced entry into the bedroom of a couple who were sleeping with their four-year-old child and slashed the father in the neck, the prosecutor said.
Mr Burns said he was shouting: ‘If you do not believe in God he will cause you harm.’
Marcus Aurelio Arduini Monzo, a Spanish and Brazilian national, appeared in court today charged with murder
Daniel Anjorin was leaving his home just before 7am when he was caught up in the horrifying ordeal
The suspect larking around in fancy dress in a video he posted on social media
Monzo at Westminster Magistrates Court today flanked by custody officers
The prosecutor added: ‘He has then left the scene and attacked Daniel Anjorin, a schoolboy on his way to school.’
It is alleged that he stabbed him in the neck and chest.
The court heard that while officers were tending to Daniel’s injuries Monzo appeared from a bush and attacked a female police officer with the weapon while she was on the ground.
A second officer named Moloy Campbell was also injured, the court heard.
Daniel has been remembered as a ‘true scholar’ with a ‘gentle character’ – as well-wishers raised more than £28,000 on GoFundMe for a celebration of his life.
The 14-year-old was said to put a smile on faces whenever he walked in the room while being described as a ‘very much-loved’ boy who brought joy to his family and was an ‘admirable’ student at his prestigious independent school.
Daniel attended Bancroft’s School in nearby Woodford Green, the £24,999-a-year school, which yesterday flew its flag at half-mast while flowers were laid by fellow students.
His heartbroken parents are trusting in their deep Christian faith to cope with their profound shock and grief at his killing, family friends revealed.
Bancroft’s School said on its website: ‘We are devastated by the heartbreaking news of the death of Daniel. This has left us in profound shock and sorrow.
‘He joined Bancroft’s at seven years old and quickly became a core member of our community. 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. Losing such a young pupil is something we will always struggle to come to terms with.’ Nottingham stabbing victim Grace O’Malley-Kumar, 19, had also been a pupil at the Bancroft’s.
Her parents offered to meet Daniel’s family – health and safety consultant Dr Ebenezer Anjorin, 59, and science teacher mother Grace Anjorin, 49 – to help them through their traumatic time.
Sinead O’Malley, Grace’s mum, told ITV’s Good Morning Britain: ‘I don’t think there’s anything that anybody can say to alleviate their heart and their pain so we wouldn’t try to minimise that, but all we can do is empathise and hope they will heal with time.’
