Southport attacker bought 'ferocious' machete online inquiry told

Southport attacker bought 'ferocious' machete online inquiry told

A deadly incident in Southport has raised concerns about the ease of purchasing dangerous weapons online. The Southport attacker, Axel Rudakubana, acquired a machete with a 16.5-inch blade from an online retailer named the Knife Warehouse, which showed no interest in the identity of the buyer. The public inquiry into the case revealed that the weapon was designed to look as menacing as possible, contributing to the tragic outcome that ensued.

Rudakubana, who was only 17 at the time, used a kitchen knife bought from Amazon to carry out the horrific attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class. The victims of this senseless act were Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, all young children whose lives were cut short. The inquiry delved into the circumstances surrounding the purchase of the machete, questioning Joseph Wheeler, the managing director of the Knife Warehouse, about the lack of scrutiny in selling such dangerous items.

During the inquiry, Mr. Wheeler admitted to not having thought about the potentially harmful branding of the machete and confessed to having little curiosity about the customers purchasing knives from his establishment. The killer had used a forged identity to buy the weapon, raising further red flags about the lack of stringent age verification processes employed by the online knife seller. Despite the tragic consequences of their actions, it became evident that more stringent regulations and checks need to be implemented to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The sale of weapons online, especially to minors or individuals using false identification, poses a significant threat to public safety. The inquiry highlighted the need for stricter controls and regulations concerning the sale of bladed items, emphasizing the importance of identifying potential risks and taking necessary precautions to prevent tragedies like the Southport attack. The tragic loss of innocent lives serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of easy access to dangerous weapons and the urgent need for improved safety measures

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