A 17-year-old boy has been charged with the murder of three young girls following a stabbing at a Taylor Swift-themed dance and yoga class in Southport, England. Merseyside Police confirmed the charges in a news release early Thursday, August 1.
BREAKING: Police have charged a 17-year-old boy from Banks with three counts of murder and ten counts of attempted murder after the attack on a dance class in #Southport on Monday. pic.twitter.com/5AR7lOC6lq
— Hits Radio News | Liverpool & North West (@HitsLpoolNews) July 31, 2024
The tragic incident occurred on Monday, July 29, around 11:50 a.m. local time. The victims were Bebe King, 6, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9. In addition to the murder charges, the teenager faces 10 counts of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article.
The suspect, identified as Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, was named publicly after a reporting restriction was lifted in court. Rudakubana, who is from Banks in Lancashire, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court and has been remanded in youth custody. His plea and trial preparation hearing is scheduled for October 25, with a provisional trial date set for January 20, 2025.
Chief Constable Serena Kennedy emphasized that while these charges represent significant progress in the investigation, it remains active. She thanked the various police forces that have provided support and confirmed that investigative resources from across the North West are aiding Merseyside Police.
British police have charged a 17-year-old boy with the murder of three young girls and 10 counts of attempted murder in a knife attack at a summer dance class that has shocked the nation and sparked two nights of violent protests https://t.co/ubwjaeh26B pic.twitter.com/7tmP1APQiT
— Reuters (@Reuters) August 1, 2024
On Tuesday, police revealed that eight other children were injured in the attack, with five in critical condition. Two adults are also critically injured, including Leanne Lucas, the yoga teacher who organized the class. Chief Constable Kennedy praised the adults’ bravery in attempting to protect the children during the attack.
Police stated that the incident is not being treated as terror-related and that no other suspects are being sought. The attack took place at a property on Hart Street during an event advertised for children aged 6 to 11, scheduled from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. local time.
In response to the incident, Taylor Swift expressed her shock and sorrow on Instagram. She wrote, “The horror of yesterday’s attack in Southport is washing over me continuously, and I’m just completely in shock… The loss of life and innocence, and the horrendous trauma inflicted on everyone who was there, the families and first responders.”
Swift added, “These were just little kids at a dance class. I am at a complete loss for how to ever convey my sympathies to these families.”
Axel Rudakubana.
Axel Rudakubana, a 17-year-old boy, has been named as the suspect in the Southport stabbing attack that occurred on Monday. He is charged with three counts of murder and 10 counts of attempted murder.
According to reports, Rudakubana entered a Taylor Swift-themed… https://t.co/COSdpi0l7R pic.twitter.com/luhwk8RBbd— 1776 (@TheWakeninq) August 1, 2024
This tragic event has left the community and the nation in mourning, as they grapple with the senseless loss of young lives and the impact on those who survived.
Major Points:
- Terrorist: A 17-year-old boy, Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, has been charged with the murder of three young girls and 10 counts of attempted murder after a stabbing at a Taylor Swift-themed dance and yoga class in Southport, England.
- The victims, Bebe King (6), Elsie Dot Stancombe (7), and Alice Dasilva Aguiar (9), were killed in the attack on July 29.
- Eight other children were injured, with five in critical condition, and two adults, including the yoga teacher Leanne Lucas, are also in critical condition.
- The incident is not being treated as terror-related, and no other suspects are being sought.
- Taylor Swift expressed her shock and sorrow over the incident, emphasizing the loss and trauma experienced by the victims and their families.
TL Holcomb – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
