Third child dies in mass stabbing in Britain; Taylor Swift says victims ‘were just little kids’

SOUTHPORT, England – Global celebrity Taylor Swift spoke of her horror on July 30 at news that at least three children were killed and five others critically wounded after a ferocious attack at a dance event in northern England for young fans of her music.

The third child died on July 30, the police said.

The nine-year-old girl died in hospital, Merseyside Police said, as the force confirmed that two victims who died in the “ferocious” stabbing spree on July 29 were also girls, aged six and seven.

Eight other children suffered stab wounds during the attack in Southport, near Liverpool, with five critically injured. Two adults were also in critical condition. The attack has shocked Britain and beyond.

A 17-year-old male suspect from a nearby village arrested shortly after the incident remained in custody, but the police warned against speculating about his identity or details of the investigation.

“This incident is not currently being treated as terror-related, and we are not looking for anyone else in connection with it,” Merseyside Police said in their latest update, adding that the motive was unclear.

Witnesses described what they saw as being like a scene from a horror film.

Swift wrote on Instagram: “The horror of yesterday’s attack in Southport is washing over me continuously and I’m just completely in shock.

“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.”

Her fans have raised more than £40,000 (S$69,000) online to help the families of the victims and for the hospital where some of the children are being treated.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called the events “just truly awful”, and said “the whole country is deeply shocked”.

Residents of Southport, a small seaside town popular with summer visitors, were still coming to terms with the attack.

“The town is in shock and in mourning,” local MP Patrick Hurley said, calling it the “most horrific atrocity that Southport has experienced in living memory”.

It is a “very small town, a close-knit community and everybody will be intimately affected by this”, he added.

A parent, Ms Leanne Hassan, told reporters on July 30: “I just cannot believe that it happened so close to home.”

Ms Hassan had rushed to collect her daughter from a nearby nursery that was locked down after the attack.

Her daughter was safe, “but unfortunately that’s not the reality for a lot of parents waking up today”, she added.

The police have revealed that the children at the event were aged between six and 11, and the two injured adults were trying to protect them.

Tributes have been paid on social media to the bravery of dance and yoga teacher Leanne Lucas, who was among the victims.

Local business owner Colin Parry, one of those who called the police, told reporters about his staff member seeing “about 10 kids running past him, all bleeding”.

“One of them collapsed on the floor outside the neighbour next door,” he said.

Mr Bare Varathan, who owns a local shop, told news agency PA that he saw “seven to 10 kids” who were “injured, bleeding”.

‘Utterly horrific’

The youth arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder is from neighbouring village Banks but was born in the Welsh capital Cardiff, according to the police.

His identity and possible motive for the attack have not been revealed.

“A name has been shared on social media in connection with the suspect,” the police said.

“This name is incorrect, and we would urge people not to speculate on details of the incident while the investigation is ongoing.”

Witnesses said the attacker was seen arriving at the scene in a taxi late in the morning of July 29, and he entered the venue wearing a mask.

Armed officers detained the suspect nearby and seized a knife.

Targeted attacks on children are extremely rare in Britain.

The incident evoked memories of a school massacre in the Scottish town of Dunblane in 1996, which claimed the lives of 16 young pupils and their teacher in Britain’s worst mass shooting.

King Charles III has offered his “most heartfelt condolences, prayers and deepest sympathies” following the “utterly horrific” incident.

Meanwhile, Prince William and his wife Catherine, the Princess of Wales, said that “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”. AFP, REUTERS