The teenager responsible for the brutal stabbing deaths of three children during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class was sentenced to more than 50 years in prison on Thursday, where he shouted that felt “pain” during his sentencing.
Axel Rudakubana had pleaded guilty earlier this week to the stabbing murders of Bebe King, 6, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, 9, and injuring 10 in July of last year. A total of 15 other girls witnessed the stabbings take place. "I feel pain. I feel ill. Don’t continue," he shouted in the courtroom.
“I can’t remain quiet. I haven’t eaten for 10 days. I feel ill. I’m not going to remain quiet,” Rudakubana, of Britain, said before being ejected from the courtroom, according to the New York Post.
Rudakubana was called a “coward” by one of the family members of the deceased while he was being escorted out of the courtroom.
Rudakubana had previously admitted to having an al Qaeda training manual titled “Military Studies in the Jihad Against the Tyrants” in his home, as well as ricin, a deadly poison.
Following Rudakubana’s guilty plea and the subsequent lifting of reporting restrictions, local church leaders addressed speculation surrounding his background and family. Church leaders Dave Gregg, Geoff Grice, Harry Pickett, and Mike Rothwell released a joint statement clarifying details about Rudakubana’s upbringing: “Axel was born and went to school in the United Kingdom, he has autism and has struggled with mental health issues," they stated. "Prior to the major incident in Southport, he had been living with his parents in the village of Banks near Southport," Sky News reported.
"There has been the inevitable speculation about his family and background—with his father Alphonse being named in the national press. It has also been reported that his parents are both Christians and attend a local church. To prevent unnecessary intrusion into other churches in our town, we can confirm that over the last few years, Alphonse Rudakubana has been a valued part of The Community Church family."
Rudakubana, who has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, had a troubled history leading up to the Southport tragedy. In 2019, he was expelled from school after bringing a knife to school, which he reportedly carried for protection after claiming he was racially bullied and sought help from Childline, a confidential telephone service for children under 19.
Following his expulsion, it is believed he returned to the school with intentions to confront a former bully resulting in an incident where he assaulted someone with a hockey stick.
Afterward, Rudakubana attended two specialized schools where educators expressed concerns over his increasingly problematic behavior.
