Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, 17, identified as suspect charged in British stabbing attack

July 31 (UPI) -- Axel Muganwa Rudakubana was identified Thursday as the 17-year-old suspect charged with stabbing three girls to death at a Taylor Swift -themed dance class in in the British seaside town of Southport.

Murdered were Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9, Bebe King, 6, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7.

Eight other children were wounded, five of them in critical condition. Two adults were also critically injured.

Alder Hey Children's Hospital confirmed two of the children wounded in the attack left the hospital Thursday.

Rudakubana, due to turn 18 next week, appeared in Liverpool Crown Court. He is also charged with 10 counts of attempted murder.

He covered his face during a 55-minute hearing and refused to speak while at times rocking back and forth and side to side. His next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 25.

Rudakubana was remanded to youth detention but the judge warned that could change when the suspect turns 18 next week.

Recorder of Liverpool Judge Andrew Menary KC ruled the suspect could be publicly identified following requests by the media.

" Continuing to prevent full reporting at this stage has a disadvantage of allowing others up to mischief to continue to spread misinformation in a vacuum," Menary said.

The judge said he decided to release the suspect's name "in favor of the public interest in full reporting of these proceedings."

Menary cited what he called the "idiotic rioting" in parts of Britain after the attack as one reason he decided to release information about the suspect.

The unrest occurred after far-right protesters clashed with police based on misinformation that a Muslim immigrant had been arrested for the attack.

The charges were announced just after midnight Thursday.

"Whilst these charges are a significant milestone within this investigation, this remains very much a live investigation and we continue to work with our partners from Lancashire Police and Counter Terrorism Policing North West," Chief Constable Serena Kennedy of Merseyside Police said in a statement .

The stabbing spree occurred Monday afternoon. Authorities accuse the teen of attacking children at the dance school, killing three and injuring eight others, with five listed as in critical condition. Two adults were also in critical condition as they sustained stab wounds while trying to protect the children, authorities said.

In London, more than 100 people were arrested when a planned protest in Whitehall dubbed "Enough is Enough" devolved into disorder.

Metropolitan Police said officers engaged protesters who "breached conditions" for the demonstration, resulting in members of law enforcement sustaining minor injuries.

"Following the tragic events in Southport, it is understandable the public have strong feelings about this shocking incident -- but the subsequent violent, unlawful disorder that unfolded was completely unacceptable and driven by misinformation," Superintendent Neil Holyoak said in a statement .

In Hartlepool, located about 127 miles northeast of Manchester, eight arrests were made Wednesday night in connection to disorderly conduct at a protest.

"A full criminal investigation is underway and we expect further arrests to be made in the coming days," Cleveland Police said in a statement .

Member of Parliament Jonathan Brash who represents Hartlepool said : "These events do not represent what Hartlepool is or the values that our people hold. Violence is never the answer."

The announcement of charges came hours after Merseyside Police said five people had been arrested in connection to violence that erupted from a protest staged Tuesday in Southport.

Fifty-three officers were injured as they were pelted with bricks and other items by protesters authorities said appeared to be connected to the far-right, anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant English Defense League.

The protest occurred after a vigil was held in the town for the victims of the stabbing attack.

We would like to provide you all with an update following the disorder that took place last night (Tuesday 30 July) in #Southport .

In total, 53 officers were injured, and of those, 49 were Merseyside Police officers and four were @lancspolice officers.

Eight of these officers... pic.twitter.com/6BEp42eXAT — Merseyside Police (@MerseyPolice) July 31, 2024

Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the violence as having "hijacked" the vigil "with violence and thuggery."

"Our work to identify all those responsible for the despicable violence and aggression seen on the streets of Southport on Tuesday continues," Assistant Chief Constable Alex Goss said in a statement Wednesday night.

"We have been inundated with images and footage from members of the public who were outraged at the destruction carried out. The individuals involved in the disorder had no regard for the families and friends of those who so tragically lost their lives, and a community in grief."