Police feared Southport killer could be ‘terrorist’ five years before attack

Flowers and tributes outside the Atkinson Art Centre Southport following the attack. Picture: James Speakman/PA

A police officer feared Southport killer Axel Rudakubana could be a terrorist five years before he carried out his deadly attack, an inquiry heard.

Rudakubana killed Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, and attempted to murder 10 others at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on July 29 last year.