Fact Check: "Killer nearly beheaded 14-year-old with a 2-foot sword during attack."
What We Know
On April 30, 2024, a tragic incident occurred in Hainault, London, where 14-year-old Daniel Anjorin was murdered by Marcus Monzo, who attacked him with a sword. Reports indicate that Monzo used a 60 cm (approximately 2 feet) sword to inflict severe injuries to Anjorin's face and neck, leading to his death shortly after the attack (source, source). Monzo was later found guilty of murder and attempted murder of several others during a violent rampage that included attacking local residents and police officers (source, source).
Witnesses described the horrifying scene, with one stating that Monzo "moved quickly, like a predator" before striking Anjorin from behind (source). The police body-worn camera footage captured the chaos as officers attempted to disarm Monzo, who was described as wielding the sword aggressively (source).
Analysis
The claim that a killer "nearly beheaded" a 14-year-old with a 2-foot sword is supported by the details of the attack. The sword used was indeed 60 cm long, which aligns with the description of a "2-foot sword." The injuries sustained by Anjorin were described as devastating to his face and neck, which can reasonably suggest that the attack was severe enough to be characterized as an attempt to behead him (source, source).
However, while the term "nearly beheaded" may be somewhat sensational, it reflects the severity of the injuries rather than a literal interpretation. The court proceedings and police reports confirm that Monzo's actions resulted in life-threatening injuries, and he was convicted of murder, indicating that the attack was indeed fatal and brutal (source, source).
The sources used in this analysis are credible, primarily coming from established news organizations such as the BBC and ABC News, which reported on the incident with detailed accounts from witnesses and police statements. These sources are reliable and provide a comprehensive view of the events that transpired (source, source).
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that a killer nearly beheaded a 14-year-old with a 2-foot sword during an attack is substantiated by eyewitness accounts and police reports detailing the nature of the injuries inflicted on Daniel Anjorin. The attack was brutal, and the weapon used was indeed a sword of that length, leading to fatal injuries consistent with the claim.
