The teen pleaded guilty in the killing of Bebe King, 6, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Alice Aguiar, 9
Axel Rudakubana pleaded guilty Monday to three counts of murder and 10 counts of attempted murder months after his violent stabbing attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport, England.
The man, who was 17 years old at the time of the attack, also pleaded guilty to possessing terrorist material and producing ricin. According to The Guardian, he’ll serve a life term.
“I am conscious of the fact the families are not here today. You have now pleaded guilty to this indictment and to each of the charges upon it,” said the judge, Justice Goose, per The Guardian. “You will understand it is inevitable the sentence to be imposed upon you will mean a life sentence equivalent will be imposed upon you. I will have to complete the sentencing process on that occasion.”
In December, Rudakubana pleaded not guilty to 16 charges against him. Back in October, police discovered a PDF file entitled “Military Studies in the Jihad Against the Tyrants: The Al-Qaeda Training Manual,” according to The Independent.
Rudakubana killed three children, Bebe King, 6, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Alice Aguiar, 9, in the attack on July 30. Eight other children and two adults suffered serious injuries, while others were left in critical condition.
“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,” Swift said on Instagram following the attacks. “These were just little kids at a dance class. I am at a complete loss for how to ever convey my sympathies to these families.”
