Key Takeaways:
- A 17-year-old carried out a stabbing attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class for young children in Southport, England.
- Two children have died, and nine others were injured, including six in critical condition. Two adults were also critically injured.
- The suspect is in custody and faces murder and attempted murder charges.
- Police believe the adults were injured while trying to protect the children.
- The incident is not being treated as terror-related.
Summary
A tragic incident unfolded in Southport, England, on Monday when a 17-year-old launched a stabbing attack at a dance class themed around Taylor Swift. The attack, which occurred around noon, resulted in the deaths of two children and injuries to nine others. According to Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy, six of the injured children are in critical condition. Two adults were also critically injured in the attack.
Police reports indicate that the children were attending the Taylor Swift-themed event at a dance school when the assailant, armed with a knife, entered the premises and began the attack. Chief Constable Kennedy stated, "It is understood that the children were attending a Taylor Swift event at a dance school when the offender, armed with a knife, walked into the premises and started to attack inside. We believe that the adults who were injured were bravely trying to protect the children who are being attacked."
The suspect, identified as a 17-year-old from Banks, a village near Southport, has been apprehended by authorities. He is currently facing charges of murder and attempted murder. The North West Ambulance Service reported that they "treated eight patients with stab injuries" and transported them to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital and other medical facilities for urgent care.
Alder Hey Children’s Hospital issued a statement acknowledging the situation, noting that "our Emergency Department is currently extremely busy" and requested that parents only bring their children to the hospital "if it is urgent."
A local resident shared a harrowing account from his mother, who was near the scene during the attack. He recounted to Sky News, "She goes out, and she goes round to see what happened, and all she said was she saw the members of police or ambulance carrying out a few bodies of girls. They were in white, but they were covered in red. Covered in blood. She said she could see the stab wounds in the backs of the children." The resident further described a woman’s desperate search for her child amidst the chaos, "They let her into the cordon, and she ran down, and all you could hear is her screaming and crying, saying ‘That’s my child, that’s my child’ in the bodies."
Merseyside Police have confirmed that they responded to a property on Hart Street and noted a "number of reported casualties" as a result of the incident. They urged the public to "avoid the area while we deal with this incident" and assured that "there is no wider threat to the public."
In a subsequent statement, police stated, "At this early stage, inquiries are ongoing to establish the motive for this tragic incident and we would urge people not to speculate while the investigation is ongoing. We can also confirm that the incident is not currently being treated as terror-related and we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident."
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his condolences and described the stabbing spree as "horrendous and deeply shocking." He added, "My thoughts are with all those affected. I would like to thank the police and emergency services for their swift response. I am being kept updated as the situation develops."
