Southport Stabbings: Suspect Named as 17-Year-Old Axel Muganwa Rudakubana

Three Children Killed, Eight Others Injured in Knife Attack

Suspect Remains in Custody as Police Investigate Motive

The suspect in the Southport stabbings has been named as Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, 17, after restrictions preventing his identification were lifted by the courts.

The United Kingdom was left shaken after three children were stabbed to death and eight others were injured in a knife attack in Southport in Merseyside, England on Monday.

Three children died at the scene, while five children and two adults remain in a critical condition in hospital.

The attack took place at a dance class in Southport, a seaside town in northwest England.

Police were called to the scene at around 10:30pm on Monday, and arrested Rudakubana shortly afterwards.

He has been charged with three counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder, and is due to appear in court on Wednesday.

Police are still investigating the motive for the attack, but said they were not treating it as terrorism-related.

Victims

The three children who died have been named as:

• Alice da Silva Aguiar, 9
• Olivia Pratt-Korbel, 9
• Rhea-Anne Anderson, 10

The eight injured victims are aged between 11 and 15, and include two boys and six girls.

Reaction

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was "deeply saddened" by the "tragic loss of life" and praised the "bravery of the emergency services".

Home Secretary Priti Patel said the attack was "a senseless act of violence" and that her thoughts were with the victims and their families.

The Bishop of Liverpool, the Rt Revd Paul Bayes, said the diocese was "deeply shocked and saddened" by the attack.

Investigation

Police are continuing to investigate the attack and have appealed for witnesses to come forward.

They are also asking for anyone with information about Rudakubana or his activities in the lead-up to the attack to contact them.

The investigation is being led by Merseyside Police, with support from the National Crime Agency.

Conclusion

The Southport stabbings have left the UK in mourning. The senseless loss of three young lives is a tragedy that will never be forgotten.

Our thoughts are with the victims and their families, and we hope that those responsible will be brought to justice.