The suspect accused of the fatal stabbing at a Taylor Swift-themed event in the U.K. has been charged with producing poison.
During a briefing on Tuesday, October 29, Merseyside Police announced that they have charged suspect Axel Rudakubana, 18, with producing the deadly poison ricin, per CBS News. Ricin is a poison typically found in castor beans, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy added that no ricin was found on-site of the deadly stabbing.
Rudakubana will also face a terror charge for allegedly possessing an Al-Qaida training manual. The authorities clarified that the attack, which happened in July, has not been labeled as a “terrorist incident.”
“I recognize that the new charges may lead to speculation,” Kennedy said on Tuesday, per the outlet. “The matter for which Axel Rudakubana has been charged with under the Terrorism Act does not require motive to be established. For a matter to be declared a terrorist incident, motivation would need to be established.”
Rudakubana was previously charged with the murders of three children: Bebe King, 6, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9. He is also facing 10 counts of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article.
Rudakubana’s identity was previously not revealed due to him being 17 at the time of the attack. He will appear in court virtually on Wednesday, October 30, and his trial is scheduled for January 2025.
In July, a stabbing occurred at a Swift-themed dance and yoga class held in Southport, England. Authorities initially confirmed two deaths with nine children injured, six of whom were in critical condition. Two adults also sustained critical injuries. The death toll rose to three following the attack.
While Swift was not present nor involved with the event, she sent out her condolences to the affected families.
“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,” the singer, 34, wrote via her Instagram Story at the time. “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.”
The following month, Swift met with two little girls who were affected by the stabbing during one of her shows at Wembley Stadium.
“You drew stars around my scars,” read the caption of a TikTok video uploaded by Sami Foster, a mother of the young Swifties. “The biggest thankyou to @Taylor Swift and her mum for making the most magical night possible for us all 🫶🏻 thankyou for bringing Hope & Autumn pure happiness last night & always.”
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