Southport teenager Axel Rudakubana deliberately singled out women and girls during his vicious assault on a children’s dance class, as revealed in a public inquiry. The 17-year-old, known for his disturbing interest in extreme violence, had raised concerns among his family and teachers, leading to assessments by medical professionals and safeguarding authorities.
Surprisingly, Rudakubana had been discharged from child mental health services shortly before the tragic incident on July 29, where three young girls lost their lives. The inquiry highlighted the fact that the victims, with the exception of one, were all female. The dance class, themed after Taylor Swift, was advertised with a pink poster, which the inquiry’s counsel, Nicholas Moss, noted would naturally attract girls. Rudakubana, referred to as “AR,” likely targeted the event due to its female appeal and the absence of parents.
Moss emphasized that this deliberate focus on women and girls, combined with the young age of the victims and the perceived lack of parental presence, made the attack exceptionally cowardly. Rudakubana, now 19, received a 52-year sentence after pleading guilty to the murders of Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, as well as the attempted murders of eight other children and two adults.
Further revelations during the inquiry unveiled Rudakubana’s history of concerning behavior, including being flagged by the anti-terror program Prevent, engaging in violent acts, searching for terror-related content online, and possessing weapons. The inquiry also exposed his online purchases of machetes and knives, some of which were discovered along with the deadly toxin ricin under his bed. Additionally, disturbing images in his browsing history depicted violence, exploitation, and extremist figures like Adolf Hitler and “Jihadi John.”
Despite no clear religious or terrorist motives identified, families of the victims seek answers regarding the investigation’s conclusions. The inquiry’s chairman, Sir Adrian Fulford, assured that efforts would be made to address these concerns thoroughly. The proceedings at Liverpool Town Hall are ongoing.