Full Breakdown
Teenager Pleads Guilty to Attempted Murder in Far-Right Axe Attack
3/24/2026, 7:52:45 PM
Overview of the Attack
On August 2, 2022, Alina Burns, an 18-year-old with far-right extremist beliefs, pleaded guilty to attempted murder after attacking Mohammed Mahmoodi, a 27-year-old Iranian Kurd, outside a barber shop in Bedminster, Bristol. During the attack, Burns swung an axe at Mahmoodi's neck, narrowly missing as he ducked. Despite sustaining scratches to his neck and cheek, Mahmoodi managed to disarm Burns before police apprehended her nearby. Authorities discovered a scalpel and multiple darts in her possession.
Background of Extremist Beliefs
Burns was affiliated with the far-right group Patriotic Alternative and had expressed a desire for a "white England," which she believed could be achieved through terror. Evidence presented in court included messages where she described herself as "the embodiment of hell" and outlined her intent to "annihilate everything holy." In an email sent shortly before the attack, she stated, "Land is reclaimed through terror," and expressed a preference for her targets to flee out of fear rather than displace her community.
Pre-Attack Preparations
In the days leading up to the attack, Burns conducted extensive online research related to weaponry and violence. She searched for terms such as "what age you buy an axe UK" and "how to properly use an axe for self-defence." Additionally, she viewed graphic videos, including one depicting a fatal stabbing, and sought information about Patrick Crusius, a mass shooter known for killing 23 people in a Walmart in 2019.
Official Statements & Responses
During her arrest, Burns acknowledged her actions, stating, "I wanted to cut his neck." Following her arrest, she expressed indifference about being charged with attempted murder, saying "fair enough" when asked about her feelings. She also indicated a desire to "go on again but to succeed," raising concerns about her intentions post-attack.
Criticism & Opposition
Despite her guilty plea, Burns denied having a terrorist motive. This claim has been met with skepticism given the evidence of her extremist views and premeditated actions. Critics argue that her affiliations and statements reflect a broader issue of rising far-right extremism in the UK.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While Burns has pleaded guilty to attempted murder and three charges of carrying a bladed weapon in public, the judge will determine the presence of a terrorist motive during her sentencing in May. This aspect remains contentious, as her defense argues against the classification of her actions as terrorism.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I wanted to cut his neck.” — Alina Burns, during her arrest.
- “Land is reclaimed through terror.” — Excerpt from an email sent by Burns prior to the attack.
- “realised my role in existence: I am the embodiment of hell, destined to annihilate everything holy I bear witness to” — Alina Burns, in a message found by police.
- “better if they flee out of fear rather than displace us in our own home” — Alina Burns, expressing her extremist views.
This case highlights the alarming intersection of youth radicalization and violent extremism, raising questions about societal responses to such ideologies.
