An 18-year-old man named Axel Rudakubana has admitted to killing three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed yoga and dance class in Southport, England.
On Monday, January 20, he pleaded guilty
at Liverpool Crown Court to three counts of murder, 10 counts of attempted murder, and two terror-related charges... Continue reading here ▶
Who Were the Victims?
Rudakubana admitted to fatally stabbing Elsie Dot Stancombe (7),
Alice da Silva Aguiar (9), and Bebe King (6). Two of the girls
died at the scene, and one later died at the hospital.
Attack Details
The stabbings happened on July 29, 2024, at The Hart Space community center during a summer holiday dance
class based on Taylor Swift’s music. Five more children and two adults were also injured and taken to the hospital.
Terror-Related Charges
Besides the murder charges, Rudakubana also admitted to having the poison ricin and possessing
an Al Qaeda training manual, according to news sources.
Court Proceedings
Rudakubana, who was 17 at the time of the crime, initially pleaded not guilty but changed his plea to guilty
when his trial began. He wore a surgical mask in court and spoke so quietly that his lawyer had to ask him
to repeat his plea. He is expected to be sentenced on Thursday, January 23, and the judge informed him
he would receive a life sentence.
Taylor Swift’s Response
A day after the stabbings, the singer wrote on her Instagram Stories that she was “in shock” and felt “a
complete loss” over how to express her sympathies to the victims’ families. She described the event as
a tragic loss of life and innocence.
Rudakubana’s final sentence will be decided later this week. Authorities have not given any further
statements at this time.
