An 18-year-old teen accused of killing three girls and injuring 10 others in a stabbing spree at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport, England, appeared in court facing additional charges related to possessing a deadly poison and a terror offense.
The teen, who refused to speak during the court appearance, was charged with possession of ricin, a potent biological toxin, and possessing an al-Qaida manual. The police discovered the poison and the document during a search of his home following the July 29 attack.
Ricin, derived from the castor bean plant, is known to be one of the most lethal toxins, with no known antidote. It functions by inhibiting protein synthesis in cells.
The accused had previously been charged with the murder of three young girls and the stabbing of 10 others during the incident at a community center hosting a dance class for children. The motive behind the attack has not been classified as a terrorist act yet.
The tragic event, which took place during the summer vacation, led to a wave of violence and unrest in the community. False information circulating on social media further fueled tensions, resulting in attacks on a mosque and clashes with law enforcement officers.
The accused, born to Rwandan parents in Wales and reportedly raised Christian, is set to face a hearing in Liverpool Crown Court where the new charges will be consolidated with the existing murder and attempted murder charges on November 13.
