What’s New
An 18-year-old charged in a mass stabbing at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class pleaded not guilty on Wednesday.
Why It Matters
The number of fatal stabbings has remained mostly unchanged in England and Wales over the past decade, but an overall rise in knife crime paired with attention-grabbing attacks has stoked fears among locals.
Knives and other blades are often criminals’ weapons of choice in parts of the world that ban or strictly regulate guns, including Britain.
What To Know
Axel Rudakubana, then 17 years old, allegedly killed three girls Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Bebe King, 6—and injured an additional eight children and two adults on July 29 at a small dance and yoga studio in the northern England town of Southport.
Rudakubana refused to speak during a video appearance in Liverpool Crown Court from a prison in London. The court entered his not guilty pleas on his behalf.
The teenager, who was born in Wales to Rwandan immigrants, faces charges of three counts of murder, 10 counts of attempted murder and additional charges related to possessing the poison ricin and for having an Al Qaeda manual.
Ricin, a toxin found in castor beans, was discovered during a search of Rudakubana’s home. The poison was not found at the scene of the crime. While searching his home, investigators also found a PDF file titled, “Military studies in the jihad against the tyrants: the Al Qaeda training manual.”
While Rudakubana was charged with possessing the Al Qaeda manual under the Terrorism Act, police say the stabbings have not been classified as acts of terrorism because investigators have yet to identify the motive.
Riots across England and Northern Ireland erupted following the stabbings. The riots that lasted a week over the summer were fueled by far-right activists after Rudakubana, then unnamed, was falsely identified as an asylum seeker who had recently arrived in Britain. Over 300 police officers were injured in the riots, and hotels housing migrants were attacked.
What People Are Saying
Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy: “At this time Counter Terrorism Policing has not declared the events of 29 July a terrorist incident.”
“I recognize that these new charges may lead to speculation. The matter for which Axel Rudakubana has been charged under the Terrorism Act doesn’t require motive to be established. For a matter to be declared a terrorist incident, motivation would need to be established,” Kennedy added.
Taylor Swift, a world-famous singer and songwriter, in July: “The horror of yesterday’s attack in Southport is washing over me continuously, and I’m just completely in shock.”
“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,” Swift said following the stabbing.
What Happens Next
Rudakubana’s trial for the stabbings is set to start in January at Liverpool Crown Court.
