A man who was accused of stabbing three young girls to death at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class has admitted he committed the murders.
On Monday, January 20th, 18-year-old Axel Rudakubana pleaded guilty to killing 7-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe, 9-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar, and 6-year-old Bebe King... Continue reading here ▶
The attack happened on July 29, 2024, during a summer dance class at a community center in Southport, England.
Rudakubana also admitted to attempting to murder ten other people.
He also pleaded guilty to two terrorism-related charges: having the poison ricin and possessing a training manual from the terrorist group Al Qaeda.
Bebe King and Elsie Stancombe died at the scene, while Alice da Silva Aguiar died later in the hospital. Five other children and two adults were also injured and treated in the hospital.
Rudakubana, who was 17 at the time of the stabbings, was born in Wales to Rwandan Christian parents.
In court, he wore a mask and didn’t confirm who he was when the judge asked. His lawyer had to ask him to enter his plea again, and he finally said he was guilty in a very quiet voice.
He had previously denied the charges last month. He will be sentenced on Thursday, January 23rd, and the judge said he will almost certainly receive a life sentence.
The day after the attack, Taylor Swift posted a message on her Instagram, expressing her shock and sadness about the tragedy. She said she was heartbroken by the loss of innocent lives and the terrible trauma caused to everyone involved, especially the families and first responders.
She emphasized that these were just young children at a dance class and said she couldn’t express how deeply sorry she was to the families.
