In July, Axel Rudakubana, 18, was charged with three counts of murder and 10 counts of attempted murder following a violent stabbing incident at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport, England. New evidence uncovered during a police investigation into the attack has led to two new additional charges, including one charge under the Terrorism Act.
After searching Rudakubana’s home, police allegedly discovered a PDF file entitled “Military Studies in the Jihad Against the Tyrants: The Al-Qaeda Training Manual,” according to the Independent. He has been issued a terror charge as a result. Authorities also revealed that Rudakubana allegedly produced the deadly poison ricin, which carries its own charge for the production of a biological toxin.
“At this time Counter Terrorism Policing has not declared the events of 29 July a terrorist incident,” Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy shared. “The matter for which Axel Rudakubana has been charged with under the Terrorism Act does not require motive to be established. For a matter to be declared a terrorist incident, motivation would need to be established.”
The UK Health and Security Agency’s Dr. Renu Bindra has stated that “there was no evidence that any victims, responders or members of the public were exposed to ricin, either as part of the incident or afterward.” Three children, Bebe King, 6, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Alice Aguiar, 9, were killed in the deadly attack. Eight other children and two adults suffered serious injuries, while others were left in critical condition.
Rudakubana’s trial is tentatively scheduled to begin in January 2025.
“Following the announcement of the further charges today I wanted to reassure the public of Southport, and Merseyside, that we are committed to achieving justice for the families of Bebe, Elsie, and Alice, the 10 victims who were injured at the Hart Space in Southport on that Monday, in July, and the other 16 people who were present,” Kennedy said. A few weeks after the incident, Swift met with two people who survived the attack.
