🔗 Share this article

One educator shared exasperation over what she termed “daunting red tape” that hindered efforts to secure law enforcement, child welfare agencies, and psychological interventions for the perpetrator, a public inquiry heard.

Violence-obsessed Axel Rudakubana was reported to have attacked students, confronted his family member, and been caught in possession of weapons between 2019 and July 2024, when he murdered three young victims during a dance studio.

But various bodies—such as Prevent, security services, and child protection units—seemed to pass his case back and forth, as revealed during proceedings.

The lead counsel, representing the investigation, stated the inquiry would examine over the next phase on if any agencies engaged had “accepted accountability”.

He said it was “remarkable” how the teenager seemed to intentionally focused on female victims upon deciding to strike a pop music-inspired dance session.

Young one victim, another girl, aged seven, and a third victim, six, lost their lives while additional minors and a pair of adults were seriously wounded.

The proceedings, sitting at an official venue, had been set up to explore the perpetrator’s background, his engagements with concerned organizations and potential “missed opportunities” that could have stopped the “clearly and profoundly brutal” attack.

Presenting his introductory remarks, the barrister revealed the “bureaucratic” message had been written by Cheryl Smith, a staff member from a local institution, who had been trying to have the teenager to return to classes over an extended period.

The representative explained the school’s efforts “came to a head” on 21 March 2023 when the teacher emailed another staff member describing attempts to engage welfare agencies, child mental health teams and law enforcement attempting to secure their involvement—to no avail.

It was further stated: “Short of breaking in I am unsure how I can reach this youth.”

Mr Moss stated initial stage of the investigation is set to review around three “key questions”—whether bodies “accepted accountability or control” for his case, if any party was evaluating his “complete risk profile” regarding danger, and what “fundamental change” might be needed to ensure existing protocols function effectively.

The barrister noted the killer’s online activity and acquisition of weapons—among them large knives and hunting gear—remained of interest.

Investigators was informed on the morning of the attack the teenager searched the social media platform X for “a violent event”—which brought up disturbing footage featuring a religious leader being attacked in Sydney, Australia.

Representatives said while much of his browsing data was erased, investigators uncovered that he shortly prior seen an electronic file called “piece of suicide literature”.

An electronic device seized at his home contained saved files including content about atrocities, abuse and dangerous items, an image of a historical figure and a depiction featuring an animal dressed formally accompanied by words: “Just be a lone wolf mate”.

A particular file, which was related to a legal charge the individual confessed to, was a study of a terrorist guide—although police also found “anti-Islamic” items.

Via a different electronic item police came across pictures showing “highly alarming” images featuring violent wounds, slavery, mistreatment of women and Nazi Germany.

‘Lack of radical views’

The investigation was told his actions within the school environment started to “decline quickly” onset during his teens, when he was 13.

Staff at the institution within the community noted events like assaulting other children, and stating “that’s why educators are attacked” after being issued a detention.

His enrollment was terminated from standard classes in October 2019 after admitting bringing a weapon to school because he “wanted to target a peer”.

Later that year, he went back to the premises and attacked a pupil using a sports item while in possession of a weapon in his backpack.

The outcome was a guilty plea to assault and holding a blade.

Between 2019 and 2021, he was referred to the official Prevent program the initiative repeatedly by educators alarmed by remarks he shared, and online queries including terms such as “school shootings” and terror attacks.

Yet whenever action was taken, even after a collaborative session with intelligence bodies, the matters were closed by specialists as no “terrorist or domestic extremist ideology” was detected.

Mr Moss noted during that time, multiple units inside the council’s social services department started and ended investigations regarding his situation.

Mr Moss stated the family member, Mr Rudakubana, requested assistance from officials and therapeutic resources as his conduct became increasingly difficult to control.

At various times ahead of {