The family of murderer Axel Rudakubana has been moved to a "secret location" for their safety, according to church leaders where his father is a member. The 18-year-old from Banks, Lancashire, killed six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe, and nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar during a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on July 29.
Leaders of The Community Church in Southport, which Rudakubana's father Alphonse attends, revealed this relocation for protection measures. Church leaders Dave Gregg, Geoff Grice, Harry Pickett, and Mike Rothwell stated: "Axel was born and went to school in the United Kingdom, he has autism and has struggled with mental health issues. Prior to the major incident in Southport, he had been living with his parents in the village of Banks near Southport."
With inevitable speculation surrounding Axel and his family, the church leaders sought to clarify their involvement, noting, "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 they are both Christians and attend a local church." To prevent misunderstandings, they emphasized, "For the sake of clarity, Alphonse's son and family never attended our Sunday gatherings, nor played any active part in church life."
The church leaders confirmed the Rudakubana family has been devastated by the incident, explaining, "The Rudakubana family have been devastated following this terrible incident and they have been moved by the police, for their protection, from their home in Banks to a secret location we are unaware of." They expressed sorrow for the victims and their families, stating, "This tragedy and the devastating murder of Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe, and Alice da Silva Aguiar has impacted our town and nation."
Community reactions have included both outpourings of love and concern for the Randakubana family, as well as backlash. The church leaders observed, "The subsequent outpouring of love and support by the local community reflects the true nature and spirit of our town, but sadly, this was eclipsed by the appalling attack – fueled by fake racially motivated news on social media – on the local mosque, which resulted in so many awful injuries to police and damage being caused to buildings and property."
Leaders at The Community Church are continuing to pray for peace and healing for all those affected by the tragedy, illustrating their commitment to both community unity and support amid the aftermath of this horrific event. They urged for reflection, acknowledging the psychological and social dynamics at play both during and after the incident, as well as the challenging challenges to community integrity.
The police's decision to relocate the Rudakubana family is indicative of broader concerns surrounding safety and mental well-being, particularly as the discourse around such tragedies often becomes polarized by media narratives and public opinion. Church leaders made clear their intention to maintain focus on healing and community well-being, rather than being entrapped by speculation and sensationalism surrounding the tragedies.
Southport stands at the intersection of grief and resilience as it copes with the aftermath of this tragic loss of young lives. The commitment to support both the victims' families and the Rudakubana family reflects efforts to unify the community, fostering moral courage and compassion during this difficult time.