17-Year-Old Boy Charged with Murder of 3 Girls After Stabbing at Taylor Swift-Themed Event in Southport

Axel Muganwa Rudakubana has also been charged with 10 counts of attempted murder, Merseyside Police confirmed

A 17-year-old boy has been charged with the murder of the three young girls who died following a stabbing at a Taylor Swift-themed dance and yoga class in Southport, England.

In the early hours of Thursday, Aug. 1, Merseyside Police confirmed in a news release obtained by PEOPLE that the teen has been charged with killing Bebe King, 6, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9, in the knife attack, which took place around 11:50 a.m. local time on Monday, July 29.

The 17-year-old has also been charged with 10 counts of attempted murder, and possession of a bladed article, per the news release.

A reporting restriction over the name of the suspect was lifted in court on Thursday, with the teen being named as Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, per BBC News, The Guardian and The Telegraph. He is due to turn 18 on Aug. 7.

Elsie Dot Stancombe, Bebe King and Alice Dasilva Aguiar.COURTESY OF MERSEYSIDE POLICE

The teen, of Banks in Lancashire, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court and has been remanded in youth custody. A plea and trial preparation hearing has been set for Oct. 25, according to BBC News.

A provisional trial date has been scheduled for Jan. 20, 2025, per The Guardian.

Axel Muganwa Rudakubana in court on August 1, 2024.
Third Child, a 9-Year-Old Girl, Dies After Stabbing at Taylor Swift-Themed Event in Southport

Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said in the news release, “Whilst these charges are a significant milestone within this investigation, this remains very much a live investigation and we continue to work with our partners from Lancashire Police and Counter Terrorism Policing North West (CTPNW).”

Tributes are left near where the three young girls were killed in Southport, England.PETER POWELL/AFP VIA GETTY

“I would like to thank all of the forces who have offered and supplied support to Merseyside Police during the last three days and I can confirm that we are being supported with investigative resources from across the North West,” Kennedy added.

PEOPLE contacted the Crown Prosecution Service Mersey-Cheshire for additional information.

Taylor Swift friendship bracelets are left near where the knife attack took place.PETER POWELL/AFP VIA GETTY

On Tuesday, police confirmed in a news release that eight other children had suffered stab wounds in the attack, and five of them were in critical condition. Two adults have also been listed in critical condition; one of which is yoga teacher, Leanne Lucas, who organized the dance and yoga class, per the BBC, The Times, and The Guardian.

“We believe that the adults who were injured were bravely trying to protect the children who were being attacked,” Chief Constable Kennedy said at a press conference after the stabbing.

“This incident is not currently being treated as terror-related and we are not looking for anyone else in connection with it,” police said in Tuesday’s news release.

The suspect arrives at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court in a police van on August 1, 2024.CHRISTOPHER FURLONG/GETTY

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The incident took place at a property on Hart Street. The event was advertised for kids between the ages of 6 and 11 and had been scheduled to take place between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. local time.

Following the stabbing, Swift shared a message on her Instagram Stories on Tuesday, writing, “The horror of yesterday’s attack in Southport is washing over me continuously, and I’m just completely in shock… The loss of life and innocence, and the horrendous trauma inflicted on everyone who was there, the families and first responders.”

“These were just little kids at a dance class,” she added. “I am at a complete loss for how to ever convey my sympathies to these families.”