Attack Perpetrator Believed to Have Viewed Teen Knife Video Shortly Prior to Attack
An attorney described it as “disturbing and alarming” that the Southport attacker probably viewed online content showing a stabbing incident in Australia by a young male just 40 minutes before carrying out his personal violent acts.
Inquiry into Deadly Incident
A public investigation is now being conducted into the events leading up to the assault by the perpetrator, who was 17 years old at the time, on the date of the incident. During the attack, he murdered three children and attempted to murder multiple minors and two adults.
On Tuesday, a representative outlined the scope of the investigation, which will explore the sequence of events and contacts Rudakubana had with various public services, including law enforcement, education, welfare services, and medical providers.
Deliberate Nature of the Attack
Officials noted that the attack was “deeply disturbing” and specifically targeted women and girls. Apart from one man injured during the attack, every one of the remaining individuals harmed were girls or women.
Moss referred to the attacker as a “prolific internet user” and noted that the young man had deleted his online activity before the incident. But, data indicated he had used another device to look up videos of a stabbing by a young person in Australia.
Online Platforms Being Questioned
Investigators has asked for details from tech firms Facebook/Instagram’s parent and formerly Twitter regarding Rudakubana’s usage on their services. It was revealed that the teenager had likely viewed graphic content on the platform shortly before the attack.
“It might possibly consider it alarming and troubling that almost the final action the attacker did before carrying out these terrible crimes was to look up and possibly view material on Twitter in relation to a stabbing.”
Weapons and Online Purchases
Investigators will also look into how Rudakubana purchased items such as blades, crossbows, and machetes by posing as an older person and using a false name. In addition, he ordered plant materials through an online retailer to make a basic form of a toxic substance”.
Officials have requested detailed statements from the attacker’s parents to determine their knowledge of his internet purchases and the objects he stored in his room and home.
Continuing Investigation
A central theme of the inquiry is to determine which organizations or bodies should have taken action to step in given the warning signs Rudakubana had demonstrated before the attack.
The chair of the inquiry promised to do everything “within their power” to answer the concerns of bereaved families and survivors. The inquiry will carry on in the coming days.
