Southport Inquiry: Teenager Used Stolen Identities to Buy Weapons Before Deadly Attack
A public inquiry has revealed that the teenager responsible for the tragic Southport knife attacks, Axel Rudakubana, "illicitly" obtained two driving licenses to purchase machetes online. The inquiry is investigating how he managed to acquire the weapons used in the attack on a children's dance workshop in Merseyside on July 29, 2024.
Details of the Weapon Purchases
Rudakubana, now 19, secured three large bladed weapons, which were delivered to his home in Banks, Lancashire, in 2023. He used these weapons, along with a kitchen knife, to perpetrate the attack, resulting in the deaths of Alice Aguiar, Elsie Dot Stancombe, and Bebe King. Eight other girls and two adults were also wounded. The inquiry is focusing on how the attacker built an arsenal in his bedroom over at least two years.
Det Ch Insp Jason Pye, who led the Merseyside Police investigation, testified that two of the machetes were seemingly intercepted by Rudakubana's parents. One was found on top of a wardrobe, and another remained unopened. However, one machete, along with a bow and arrows, was discovered in a black holdall under his bed.
Stolen Identities and Online Vendors
The inquiry heard that Rudakubana bought the weapons from three different companies: Springfields, Knife Warehouse, and Hunting and Knives. He used stolen driving licenses belonging to individuals named "Alice" and "Samuel" for the second and third purchases. These individuals were unaware their identities had been compromised. Despite age verification checks by couriers from Springfields and Knife Warehouse, Rudakubana, while underage, was able to sign for the third weapon.
Mr. Moss, counsel to the inquiry, highlighted the illegality of a youth possessing a machete, given their intended use in the UK is "primarily agricultural." He questioned whether Rudakubana or his family had any reason to order such weapons, to which Det Ch Insp Pye replied, "No."
Missed Opportunities and Suspicious Behavior
The inquiry also revealed that Rudakubana appeared "preoccupied" with age verification checks and whether the packages' contents would be obvious. Two companies, Merlin Archery and Tactical Archery, declined to sell him a crossbow in October 2023.
Taxi Driver's Actions Under Scrutiny
The inquiry also addressed the actions of Gary Poland, the taxi driver who drove Rudakubana to the scene. Mr. Moss suggested that a "responsible member of the public" would have called the police, given the circumstances. Det Ch Insp Pye concurred, stating that Poland "knew what was happening" and that a call to 999 would have been morally expected. Poland drove away as children streamed out of the dance studio, only calling 999 nearly an hour later.
Public Response and Ongoing Investigation
Det Ch Insp Pye praised the members of the public, including Joel Verite, who helped the victims. Verite carried Bebe King's body from the building and also assisted Alice Aguiar, using his t-shirt to stem the bleeding. The investigation also revealed that Rudakubana's phone, found at the scene, contained the address of the dance studio saved as a contact after he saw an advertisement for a Taylor Swift-themed class on Instagram. The inquiry continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding this tragic event.