Axel Rudakubana, an 18-year-old from Lancashire, faces additional charges after being accused of stabbing three girls to death in Southport. Police found a biological toxin and an al Qaeda training manual during a search of his home. Previously charged with three counts of murder and ten counts of attempted murder after the July attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance workshop, Rudakubana now faces charges related to the “production of a biological toxin, namely ricin,” under the Biological Weapons Act 1974, and possession of information useful for terrorism under the Terrorism Act 2000. This latter charge pertains to a PDF titled “Military Studies in the Jihad Against the Tyrants: The Al-Qaeda Training Manual.”
Chief Constable Serena Kennedy of Merseyside Police stated that the events of 29 July have not been classified as a terrorist incident due to the lack of established motivation.
Ricin, a biological substance discovered at Rudakubana’s home, is derived from castor beans. When processed for castor oil, a mash containing the toxin remains. While it is a biological substance, ricin does not spread like a virus but can cause contamination through contact, such as on clothing. The UK Health Security Agency confirmed there is no evidence that anyone, including emergency services, was exposed to the ricin found at Rudakubana’s residence. Exposure symptoms would have appeared within 24 hours. Health officials also confirmed no ricin poisoning occurred at the dance event.
The teenager accused of the fatal stabbing of three girls at a dance class in Southport has been charged with production of a deadly poison and a terror offence, the chief constable of Merseyside Police has said. pic.twitter.com/lP2Xw6RX8r
— Talk (@TalkTV) October 29, 2024
Following the attack, authorities searched Rudakubana’s home and identified ricin through tests by the government’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory. Dr. Renu Bindra from the UK Health Security Agency stated that a thorough public health risk assessment found no evidence of exposure to ricin among victims, responders, or the public. The risk to the community and the wider public was assessed as low.
Rudakubana will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court via videolink to address the new charges. The Southport attack claimed the lives of Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, aged six, seven, and nine, respectively. Eight other children were also stabbed, with five critically injured. Two adults were critically injured while protecting the children. Rudakubana, then 17, was arrested on the day of the attack.
The incident led to far-right riots across the UK, fueled by misinformation suggesting Rudakubana was an asylum seeker arriving by boat. It was later revealed he was born in Cardiff, Wales. Nearly 400 individuals have been imprisoned for offences related to the ensuing disorder, according to government statements.
What Other Media Are Saying
- CBS News reports on Axel Rudakubana, accused of killing three girls at a UK dance class, charged with producing ricin and possessing a jihadi manual, sparking terror concerns and community unrest.(read more)
- NY Post: A teenager accused of killing three girls at a Taylor Swift dance party also made poison and had a terror manual, highlighting a disturbing intersection of violence and extremism.(read more)
- ABC News reports on a stabbing rampage in England where a teenager, Axel Rudakubana, killed three girls and injured 10 others, with additional charges for producing ricin and possessing a jihadi manual.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What charges is Axel Rudakubana facing?
He faces murder, attempted murder, biological toxin production, and possession of terrorism-related information charges.
Was the attack classified as a terrorist incident?
No, it wasn’t classified as a terrorist incident due to the lack of established motivation.
What did authorities find at Rudakubana’s home?
Authorities found ricin and an al Qaeda training manual at his home.
Did anyone get exposed to ricin in the attack?
No evidence suggests anyone was exposed to ricin, according to health officials.
What misinformation spread after the attack?
Misinformation falsely claimed Rudakubana was an asylum seeker, leading to riots.
