LONDON (AP) — An 18-year-old, Axel Rudakubana, pleaded guilty on January 20, 2025, to charges of killing three girls and injuring 10 others during a stabbing incident at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in England last summer. The attack occurred on July 29, 2024, and led to widespread riots across parts of England and Northern Ireland.
- Teen pleads guilty to triple murder charges.
- Stabbing occurred at Taylor Swift-themed class.
- Riots followed false asylum-seeker identification.
- Rudakubana faces life imprisonment sentencing.
- Mental health information may influence sentencing.
- Additional charges include ricin possession.
The tragic stabbing spree resulted in the deaths of Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Bebe King, 6. In addition to the three fatalities, eight other girls aged 7 to 13 were wounded, along with two adults, Leanne Lucas and Jonathan Hayes, who intervened during the attack. The incident sparked a week of rioting fueled by misinformation, falsely identifying Rudakubana as an asylum-seeker, which led to violence against migrants and mosques across England and Northern Ireland.
More than 1,200 individuals were arrested during the riots, with many receiving prison sentences of up to nine years. The unrest was primarily driven by far-right groups mobilized through social media, leading to violent confrontations with police. Additionally, Rudakubana faced charges for possessing the biological toxin ricin and an al-Qaida manual, although police have not classified the stabbings as acts of terrorism due to the unknown motive.
Rudakubana, who was born in Wales to Rwandan immigrants, had remained silent during court proceedings and refused to identify himself initially. His defense attorney indicated that mental health considerations would be presented during sentencing. The sentencing is scheduled for January 25, 2025, where Rudakubana faces a potential life sentence.
The guilty plea marks a significant moment in a case that has shocked the community and raised concerns about public safety and the impact of misinformation on societal tensions. As the legal proceedings continue, the focus remains on the victims and the broader implications for community relations.
