A 17-year-old man has reportedly been arrested following a shocking mass stabbing at a Taylor Swift-themed dance event for kids in Southport, England on Monday (July 29).
The knife attack has left two children dead, nine more seriously injured – six of whom are reportedly in critical condition – and two adults in critical care after attempting to protect their children.
The incident took place around 11:45am BST on Monday, with police and 13 ambulances arriving on the scene shortly after. According to Chief Constable Serena Kennedy, – per the BBC – the Merseyside Police department have apprehended the alleged attacker, and believe this to be an isolated incident, ruling out a terrorist attack and are not looking for other suspects in connection to the attack. The alleged attacker is undergoing investigations, and a “motivation for the incident remains unclear”.
Kennedy said to the press: “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 the children. We believe that the adults who were injured were bravely trying to protect the children who were being attacked.”
Colin Parry, an owner of a nearby vehicle repair shop, said in a statement to the BBC that the scene was like something “from a horror movie”, and that “about 10 girls” were helped to safety by a builder who had witnessed the incident. “The community was coming together, everyone was trying to help. Everyone was trying to save the young kids,” Parry said.
Since the news of the devastating attack, King Charles has issued a statement on social media, writing: “My wife and I have been profoundly shocked to hear of the utterly horrific incident in Southport today. We send our most heartfelt condolences, prayers and deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of those who have so tragically lost their lives, and to all those affected by this truly appalling attack.”
A message from His Majesty The King following the tragic incident in Southport today. pic.twitter.com/4aUK8btptX
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) July 29, 2024
The Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Catherine wrote in a separate post: “As parents, we cannot begin to imagine what the families, friends and loved ones of those killed and injured in Southport today are going through.”
They continued: “We send our love, thoughts and prayers to all those involved in this horrid and heinous attack. Thank you also to the emergency responder who, despite being met with the most horrific scenes, demonstrated compassion and professionalism when your community needed you most.”
As parents, we cannot begin to imagine what the families, friends and loved ones of those killed and injured in Southport today are going through.
We send our love, thoughts and prayers to all those involved in this horrid and heinous attack.
Thank you also to the emergency…
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) July 29, 2024
The United Kingdom’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a statement to the BBC: “I know the whole country is deeply shocked about what they’ve seen and what they’ve heard. I know I speak for everyone in the whole country in saying, our thoughts and condolences are with the victims, their families, their friends and the wider community and it’s almost impossible to imagine the grief that they’re going through, and the trauma that they’re going through.”
“I do want to thank the emergency services and Merseyside Police who have had to respond to the most difficult of circumstances today.”
This is a developing story.