LONDON (AP) —
A man who murdered a London schoolboy in a shocking samurai sword rampage that left five others seriously injured has been sentenced to life in prison.
Marcus Arduini Monzo, 37, was condemned as “wicked” on Friday by the father of 14-year-old Daniel Anjorin, who was slain outside his home in east London as he headed to school on April 30, 2024.
“It has been the worst nightmare experience of our lives,” said Daniel’s father, Dr. Ebenezer Anjorin, during the sentencing at the Central Criminal Court. “To have to go through the pain of losing a child in such a cruel and savage way. No family should have to go through this.”
Frantic Morning of Violence
Justice Joel Bennathan described how Monzo shattered a typical weekday morning in east London. People were commuting to work, and children were on their way to school when Monzo’s violent spree unfolded.
Monzo first plowed his van into pedestrian Donato Iwule, before leaping out with a samurai sword and slashing Iwule’s neck. Despite his injuries, Iwule managed to escape.
Moments later, Monzo ambushed Daniel Anjorin, who was wearing headphones and unaware of the danger. Neighbors tried desperately to warn him.
“We were shouting and waving towards Daniel as he came out,” said witness Aiste Dabasinskaite. “It just happened right before our eyes, it was horrible.”
Monzo nearly beheaded the teenager with the 2-foot (60-centimeter) blade and stabbed him again as he lay on the ground.
Further Attacks
As officers rushed to help the boy, Monzo burst from nearby bushes and attacked Constable Yasmin Mechem-Whitfield, inflicting what police described as “brutal and life-changing” injuries, including a fractured skull and severe nerve damage.
Monzo then broke into a nearby home, where he awoke a couple and their 4-year-old daughter, screaming about God and attacking the child’s father, wounding him in the neck and arm.
His violent rampage ended when he struck Inspector Moloy Campbell with the sword before police used a stun gun to subdue him.
Drug Use and Conspiracies
Prosecutors argued that Monzo’s violence stemmed from drug-induced psychosis, triggered by frequent cannabis use and his experimentation with ayahuasca, a hallucinogenic brew.
Monzo, who holds dual Spanish and Brazilian citizenship, claimed he embarked on a “spiritual quest” after an MMA injury.
Evidence also revealed that Monzo held extreme views and conspiracy beliefs, including support for far-right ideology, vaccine misinformation, and admiration for Adolf Hitler. He told jurors he believed the Earth was flat and suggested the 9/11 attacks were a conspiracy.
Monzo was convicted on Wednesday of Daniel’s murder, three counts of attempted murder, wounding with intent, aggravated burglary, and possession of a bladed weapon.
Justice Bennathan summed up the horror of the rampage:
“That peaceful, busy scene was devastated… and a clever, talented, much-loved young boy was killed by a savage blow with a sword. You, Marcus Arduini Monzo, did all of that.”
Monzo will serve a life sentence with no minimum term, ensuring he will never be released from prison.
