A 18-year-old British teen pleaded guilty to murdering three girls and attempting to kill 10 others in a “meticulously planned” stabbing rampage at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in England last summer. Axel Rudakubana, born in Wales to Rwandan parents, entered the surprise guilty pleas as jury selection had been expected to begin.
The July 29 stabbings led to widespread rioting across parts of England and Northern Ireland after false claims about the attacker sparked anti-immigrant violence. Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed Rudakubana’s conviction but expressed concern over how the state failed to protect the victims.
Rudakubana, who had been reported to authorities years before the crime for his troubling fascination with violence, was referred to the government’s anti-extremism program, Prevent, as a 13-year-old and 14-year-old. Despite this, investigators were unable to determine what drove him to commit the atrocities.
The attack occurred at the Hart Space, a dance studio where young girls learned yoga and danced to Taylor Swift songs. Surviving victims and family members of those killed were absent from court due to expected opening statements. Rudakubana faces life imprisonment when sentenced Thursday.
Prosecutors have said that Rudakubana had a “sickening and sustained interest in death and violence.” The surviving victims, ranging in age from 5 to 13, were wounded, along with instructor Leanne Lucas. Eight other girls were injured, while 15 were uninjured.
The investigation found that Rudakubana had an extensive interest in conflict, violence, genocide, and terrorism, but the motive behind the killings remained unclear. The case has sparked a public inquiry into how the state failed to protect the victims and prevent the attack.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/southport-attacker-trial-girls-stabbed-taylor-swift-59163534d726b88eb86b1c63039077f7