A third child, a nine year old girl, has tragically lost her life following a mass stabbing at a Taylor Swift-themed dance party in Southport. The devastating news was confirmed by the police today, after the horrific attack took place yesterday morning on Hart Street.
In a press conference held yesterday evening, Merseyside Police had already confirmed the heartbreaking loss of two children due to their injuries from the incident at the Hart Space pregnancy centre on Hart Street. Today, they revealed that these children were aged six and seven.
Eight other children sustained stab wounds during the terrifying attack, with five currently in a critical condition. Two adults are also hospitalised with severe injuries.
Many victims were rushed to various hospitals across the region with major trauma injuries. Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool declared a critical incident yesterday and urged people to avoid coming unless absolutely necessary.
Police have arrested a 17 year old suspect on charges of murder and attempted murder. They clarified that the incident is not being treated as terror-related at this time and assured there is no wider threat to the public, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Chief Constable Serena Kennedy addressed a press conference yesterday, stating: "My officers were called to reports of a stabbing at 11.47am at an address in Southport. When they arrived they were shocked to find that multiple people, many of whom were children, had been subjected to a ferocious attack and had suffered serious injuries."
"It is understood that the children were attending a Taylor Swift event at a dance school when the offender, who was armed with a knife, walked into the premises and started to attack those inside. We believe that the adults who were injured were trying to protect the children at the time they were attacked."
"As a mum of two daughters, and the nanna of a five-year-old granddaughter, I cannot begin to imagine the pain and suffering the families of the victims are currently going through and I want to send them our heartfelt condolences and sympathies. Our specialist family liaison officers are providing support to the families at this terrible time."
Shocked witnesses spoke yesterday to the Chronicle at the scene. Alaina Riley, 18, told the Chronicle: "Those children will be traumatised for life. They were on holiday - they're living their lives and doing what they enjoy doing. My thoughts go out to the kids and their families. It's horrific to hear. The local community will be devastated."
A local man working on a property just doors down from where the incident happened told the Chronicle: "I heard the kids playing and then I heard swearing and shouting. I came outside to see what was happening - I thought it was a fight. I've heard different screams and mothers crying. These things will live with you forever."
A lorry driver, who was one of the first on the scene, recounted to the ECHO, visibly emotional and fighting back tears, that he witnessed a young girl cradled in an adult's arms with visible stab wounds.
Gemma, an employee at The Bridge Cafe who preferred to be identified only by her first name, shared: "I just feel sick. I'm shaking. Those poor kids...I saw a mother screaming and I didn't know whether to stop and hug her or leave."
