Suspect in Triple Stabbing Charged with Terrorism Offenses After Ricin and Al-Qaeda Material Found

An 18-year-old, Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, has been charged with possessing an al Qaeda training manual and ricin poison, in addition to the three murder charges, 10 counts of attempted murder, and one count of knife possession he already faces. The new charges, filed under the UK’s Terrorism Act, stem from items discovered during a search of Rudakubana’s home. 

Police confirmed that the substance found was ricin, though they stressed the risk of exposure to the public was low. Dr. Renu Bindra, a senior medical adviser at the UK Health Security Agency, confirmed that there was no evidence of exposure to ricin among victims, responders, or members of the public. 

Rudakubana is alleged to have carried out the stabbing spree on July 29 that resulted in the deaths of three young girls – Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Bebe King, 6 – and injuries to several others. The incident occurred in Southport, a town north of Liverpool. 

Merseyside Police, however, have not declared the events a terrorist incident, citing the lack of a confirmed motive. Chief Constable Serena Kennedy emphasized that the new charges under the Terrorism Act do not require a motive to be established. 

To be declared a terrorist incident, motivation would need to be determined, Kennedy explained, referring to the UK’s Terrorism Act of 2000. The Telegraph reported that for an act to be classified as terrorism, it must meet specific legal criteria, including involving the use or threat of violence or serious damage to property, being intended to influence the government or intimidate the public, and being motivated by a political, religious, racial, or ideological cause. 

The attacks triggered widespread protests and riots across the country, fueled by inaccurate reports that the suspect was an asylum seeker. 

Rudakubana, who was born in England to Rwandan parents, was a minor at the time of the stabbings. However, a judge lifted restrictions preventing the reporting of his name.