A UK teen unexpectedly pleaded guilty Monday to killing three girls and wounding 10 others at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class last summer — while also admitting to having an al-Qaida training manual.
Axel Rudakubana, now 18, pleaded guilty to the horrific murders of Bebe King, 6, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9, along with 10 counts of attempted murder for stabbing eight other children as well as two adults who tried to help them at the kids’ event.
Axel Rudakubana pleaded guilty to killing three girls and wounding 10 others at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in England last summer. Helen Tipper / SWNSHe also pleaded guilty to keeping the al-Qaida manual, “Military Studies in the Jihad Against the Tyrants,” at his home close to the bloodbath in Southport — as well as the deadly poison ricin.
Rudakubana — who struck just days before his 18th birthday — was told he faces life in prison when sentenced Thursday.
Alice Aguiar, 9, who was identified by friends and family, “died in hospital,” Merseyside Police said. Family Handout
Elsie Stancombe, 7, was killed in the stabbing. Merseyside Police“This was an unspeakable act,” Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor Ursula Doyle said of the teen with “a sickening and sustained interest in death and violence.”
“No words can describe the devastation that has hit our family as try to deal with the loss of our little girl Bebe,” the 6-year-old girl’s family said. Merseyside Police“One which left an enduring mark on our community and the nation for its savagery and senselessness.
“A day which should have been one of carefree innocence … became a scene of the darkest horror as Axel Rudakubana carried out his meticulously planned rampage.”
Alice Aguiar is seen above in an undated photo before the fatal stabbing. Family Handout
Children lay down floral tributes at the scene on the corner of Hart Street and Tithebarn Road, Southport, Merseyside. William Lailey / SWNSRudakubana struck in July during a class for young kids to learn yoga and dance to the songs of Taylor Swift.
His carnage triggered a week of riots after erroneous rumors spread that the attacker was an asylum-seeker who had recently arrived in Britain by boat. Rudakubana was born in the UK.
The riots, starting at a nearby mosque, led to 1,200 arrests, with hundreds facing up to nine years in prison for their involvement.
While welcoming Rudakubana’s conviction, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called it a “moment of trauma” for the nation.
A flyer for the Taylor Swift event. Instagram/enlighten_kidsyoga_southport
The attacker entered the Hart Space, where the Taylor Swift-themed dance workshop was taking place. Getty Images for TAS Rights Management“There are grave questions to answer as to how the state failed in its ultimate duty to protect these young girls,” he said. “Britain will rightly demand answers, and we will leave no stone unturned in that pursuit.”
Rudakubana had consistently refused to speak in court and did so once again when asked to identify himself at the start of the proceedings. But he broke his silence when he was read the 16-count indictment and asked to enter a plea, replying “guilty” to each charge.
As well as the three young girls who were killed, eight other girls — ranging in age from 7 to 13 — were also injured.
The teen also pleaded guilty to charges related to keeping both the poison ricin and an al-Qaida manual in his home at the time of the vicious rampage. AFP via Getty Images
“Horrendous and deeply shocking news emerging from Southport,” Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a statement. APTwo hero adults — dance teacher Leanne Lucas and neighboring worker Jonathan Hayes — were also injured while trying to stop the crazed killer.
There were 15 other girls, some as young as 5, who witnessed the slaughter, officials have said.
Police later found the biological toxin, ricin, and the Al-Qaida training manual at his home.
Even so, cops did not classify the bloodbath as terrorism, claiming that the teen’s motive was unknown.
With Post wires
