On July 29, 2024, Rudakubana, then 17-year-old, carried out one of the most heinous attacks in modern British history.
According to BBC, he brutally murdered three young girls and injured ten others during a dance workshop.
The criminal investigation revealed chilling details of his premeditated actions, sparking nationwide questions about failures in preventing such tragedies.
Let's get into it
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| The victims |
The Horrific Crime
On the morning of July 29, 2024, the Hart Space dance studio in Southport organized a Taylor Swift-themed dance workshop.
The sold-out event brought together 26 children, ranging from six to nine years old, along with two instructors, Leanne Lucas and Heidi Liddle.
What began as a lively and innocent event, soon became a nightmare no one could have foreseen.
Shortly before noon, Axel Rudakubana entered the studio armed with a knife.
Without hesitation, Rudakubana launched a frenzied attack, targeting the defenseless children.
He moved through the room, stabbing the young girls one by one, as reported by BBC.
This disturbing attack claimed the lives of three young girls - Elsie Dot Stancombe (7), Bebe King (6), and Alice da Silva Aguiar (9).
It also left eight other children and two adults severely injured.
The police arrived at the scene minutes after receiving frantic 999 calls.
When they entered the studio, the police found Rudakubana standing over the lifeless body of six-year-old Bebe King, his weapon still in hand.
Officers immediately tackled him to the ground, and he was taken into custody.
Inside the studio, the scene was devastating.
Bebe King had been stabbed 122 times, while seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe had suffered 85 stab wounds.
Nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar, who managed to escape the building despite her grave injuries, collapsed near a car outside.
A seven-year-old survivor was stabbed multiple times after Rudakubana dragged her back inside as she tried to escape.
Despite her severe injuries, she managed to stagger outside before collapsing.
The sheer brutality of the attacks left the police and emergency responders stunned.
Dance class leader Leanne Lucas, who had locked herself in a restroom with one child during the attack, later described the horrifying sounds of children begging Rudakubana to stop.
“He targeted us because we were vulnerable and easy prey,” she said in a court statement.
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| Axel Rudakubana before the attack |
Who is Axel Rudukabana?
Before the attack, Axel Rudakubana's concerning behavior resulted in multiple referrals to the government’s Prevent program, which aims to address risks of radicalization and violence.
Despite these warnings, no decisive actions were taken to mitigate the danger he posed.
Court records revealed Rudakubana’s fascination with violence, as reported by Sky News.
This includes the possession of an Al Qaeda training manual and attempts to produce the biological toxin ricin.
A criminal complaint filed years earlier had flagged his behavior, but the lack of coordinated response from the right authorities proved fatal.
According to BBC, after the attack on the young girls, he told officers "I’m glad the children are dead."
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| Axel Rudakubana |
Legal Proceedings and Justice For The Victims
During the trial at Liverpool Crown Court, Rudakubana was described as a remorseless individual who expressed satisfaction with his actions.
The trial provided a detailed account of his crimes, leaving the courtroom and the nation in disbelief.
Judge Justice Goose, in his remarks, sentenced Rudakubana to a minimum of 52 years in prison for three counts of murder, ten counts of attempted murder, and possession of biological weapons.
"This was not an impulsive act; it was premeditated and calculated," the judge said.
He further emphasized that while the crime did not meet the legal definition of terrorism, its impact was no less devastating.
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