Police officers take security measures before visit of King Charles III to meet families of Southport attack victims at Town Hall in Southport, United Kingdom on August 20, 2024. (Photo by Ioannis Alexopoulos/Anadolu via Getty Images)
The suspect in the devastating UK knife attack in July that killed three young girls was charged with producing a deadly poison and “terrorism” offences, British police said on Tuesday.
The new charges against Axel Rudakubana, 18, came after a search of his home where an Al Qaeda training manual was found, police said.
Rudakubana is accused of killing the three young girls aged between six and nine at a Taylor Swift dance event in Southport, murders which shocked the nation.
Police said the incident was still not being treated as terrorist related but said after searches of his home, Rudakubana had now been charged with two further offences: production of a deadly biological toxin, ricin, and the possession of an al Qaeda training manual.
“We have worked extensively with partners to establish that there was a low to very low risk to the public – and I want to make that reassurance clear today,” said Merseyside Chief Constable Serena Kennedy.
She said no ricin was discovered at the scene of the Southport stabbings.
He has already been charged with murder and attempted murder over the stabbing spree, which sparked nationwide anti-immigration riots.
Police said the incident was still not being treated as terrorist related but said after searches of his home, Rudakubana had now been charged with two further offences: production of a deadly biological toxin, ricin, and the possession of an al Qaeda training manual.
“We have worked extensively with partners to establish that there was a low to very low risk to the public – and I want to make that reassurance clear today,” said Merseyside Chief Constable Serena Kennedy.
She said no ricin was discovered at the scene of the Southport stabbings.
