17-Year-Old Charged with Murder of Three Girls in Stabbing Incident at Taylor Swift-Themed Event in Southport
On July 29, 2024, a tragic stabbing incident occurred during a Taylor Swift-themed dance and yoga class in Southport, England, resulting in the deaths of three young girls and injuries to several others. The event, held at the Hart Space center, was designed for children aged 6 to 11 and was scheduled to take place from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. local time. The attack took place around 11:50 a.m., shocking the local community and drawing national attention.
Victims
The victims of this horrific attack were:
- Bebe King, aged 6
- Elsie Dot Stancombe, aged 7
- Alice Dasilva Aguiar, aged 9
In addition to the fatalities, eight other children sustained stab wounds, with five reported to be in critical condition. Two adults, including the yoga teacher Leanne Lucas, were also critically injured while attempting to protect the children during the attack.
Charges Against the Suspect
The suspect, identified as Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, a 17-year-old from Banks in Lancashire, has been charged with:
- Three counts of murder