LONDON — An 18-year-old male has been charged with a terrorism-related offense following a tragic stabbing incident that resulted in the deaths of three girls during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in England, authorities announced on Tuesday.

Merseyside Police confirmed that Axel Rudakubana is facing multiple charges, including three counts of murder and also for stabbing ten other individuals during the violent event. Investigators uncovered evidence that he was in possession of ricin, a highly toxic substance, which was found at his residence.

Chief Constable Serena Kennedy highlighted that Rudakubana was also discovered to have an Al-Qaeda training manual related to jihad. This information raises further concerns about the motivations behind the tragic attack.

The three young victims have been identified as Alice Dasilva Aguiar, aged 9, Elsie Dot Stancombe, aged 7, and 6-year-old Bebe King, all of whom lost their lives in the incident that took place in Southport, a coastal town located in northwest England.

The situation remains under close investigation, as communities grapple with the shock and grief stemming from this horrific event.