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A 17-year-old boy, Axel Rudakubana, has been charged with the murder of three young girls and the attempted murder of ten other people in a knife attack in Southport, England. The victims were attending a Taylor Swift-themed summer holiday dance class when the attack occurred. The deceased victims have been identified as Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Bebe King, 6. Several of the other victims remain in critical condition.
Rudakubana, who was born in Britain, appeared in Liverpool Magistrates' Court on Thursday (August 1) to face three counts of murder, ten counts of attempted murder, and one count of possession of a bladed article. The alleged murder weapon was a kitchen knife with a curved blade. Rudakubana, who turns 18 next week, was not asked to enter a plea and was ordered detained until his next hearing.
The attack has shocked the country and led to violent protests fueled by false online rumors about the suspect's identity and immigration status. Prime Minister Keir Starmer held a crisis meeting with British police chiefs to address the unrest. He condemned the violent disorder and pledged to ensure the police have the powers they need to deal with the situation.