Teenage Boy Pleads Guilty to Killing Three Girls

Axel Rudakubana, 18, admitted murdering three young girls and attempting to murder others in a knife attack at a dance class in Southport, England.

On July 29, 2024, Rudakubana entered a dance class and fatally stabbed Alice da Silva Aguiar (9), Bebe King (6), and Elsie Dot Stancombe (7). Eight other children, the instructor, and a local businessman were also injured.

Guilty Plea

In court on January 20, 2025, Rudakubana pleaded guilty to three counts of murder, ten counts of attempted murder, possession of a knife, production of the biological toxin ricin, and a terrorism-related charge. The terrorism charge relates to the possession of a document titled “Military Studies In The Jihad Against The Tyrants, The Al Qaeda Training Manual.”

Background

Rudakubana moved to Banks, Lancashire, from Wales with his Rwandan-born parents and older brother. He had previous behavioral concerns at school, including an exclusion for an incident involving a hockey stick.

Aftermath

The attack sparked widespread unrest across the UK, with violence directed at mosques and other locations.