A third child has succumbed to injuries following a mass stabbing at a Taylor Swift-themed dance event in Southport, near Liverpool, sending shockwaves across the UK. The attack, which occurred on Monday, left five children and two adults critically injured, with three other children sustaining less severe injuries.
Victims and Community Response
Nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar passed away early Tuesday morning. The two other children who died on Monday were six-year-old Bebe King and seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe. The victims were honored in a vigil held in the town on Tuesday.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who paid tribute at the site of the attack, expressed deep sympathy for the victims and their families. “I came here to pay my respects to the victims and families who are going through raw pain and grief that most of us can’t imagine — I can’t imagine, as a dad myself,” Starmer said.
Details of the Incident
The attack occurred at Hart Space dance studio, and the two adults injured were reportedly trying to protect the children. One of the victims, dance and yoga teacher Leanne Lucas, has been praised for her bravery.
The perpetrator, a 17-year-old youth from a nearby village, has been arrested and remains in custody. Authorities have stated that the attack is not considered “terror-related,” and no other suspects are being sought. Interior minister Yvette Cooper mentioned that police are pursuing “every single avenue.”
National and International Reactions
US pop star Taylor Swift expressed her shock and sorrow over the incident on Instagram, stating, “These were just little kids at a dance class. I am at a complete loss for how to ever convey my sympathies to these families.”
King Charles III and Prince William, along with his wife Catherine, have also extended their condolences. “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,” Prince William said.
Community Impact
Residents of Southport are grappling with the tragedy. Local MP Patrick Hurley described it as the “most horrific atrocity that Southport has experienced in living memory.” Leanne Hassan, a local resident, shared her disbelief, recounting how her daughter’s nearby nursery was locked down following the attack.
Historical Context
While such incidents are rare in the UK, the attack has drawn comparisons to the 1996 Dunblane school massacre in Scotland, which resulted in the deaths of 16 pupils and their teacher.
