A 17-year-old has been charged with murder following a mass stabbing at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport.
The attack occurred at a workshop on Hart Street in the Merseyside town on Monday (July 29). Three young girls have died: Bebe King, aged six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, aged seven, and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar.
Eight other children were injured, as were two adults. It is reported that some remain in a critical condition (via BBC News).
The 17-year-old is due to appear at Liverpool City Magistrates’ Court later today (Thursday August 1) after being charged with the murder of the three victims. He has also been charged with 10 other counts of attempted murder.
Additionally, the defendant – who cannot be identified due to his age – has been charged with the possession of a bladed article.
Merseyside Police announced the charges during a press conference in the early hours of today.
Sarah Hammond, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS Mersey-Cheshire, said: “The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised Merseyside Police to charge a 17-year-old male, of Banks, Lancashire, with three counts of murder and 10 counts of attempted murder following the tragic incident that took place in Southport this week.
“He will appear at Liverpool City Magistrates’ Court on Thursday August 1, 2024.
“We remind all concerned that criminal proceedings against the defendant are active and that he has the right to a fair trial.”
The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised Merseyside Police to charge a 17-year-old male of Banks, Lancashire, with three counts of murder and ten counts of attempted murder, following the tragic incident that took place in Southport this week. More: https://t.co/T0dKhLxPaw pic.twitter.com/dEKQfmUQ7b
— Crown Prosecution Service (@CPSUK) July 31, 2024
Hammond continued: “It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary, or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.
“Our thoughts remain with the families of all of those affected by these harrowing events.”
Serena Kennedy, Chief Constable of Merseyside Police, added: “Whilst these charges are a significant milestone within this investigation, this remains very much a live investigation and we continue to work with our partners from Lancashire Police and counter-terrorism police in the North West.”
Police previously confirmed that the stabbing was not being treated as terror-related, but said the motivation for the incident was “unclear”. No other suspects have been connected to the attack.
According to police, the defendant is originally from Cardiff and lived in the village of Banks close to Southport.
Taylor Swift spoke out about the tragedy in a statement on Tuesday (July 30), writing: “The horror of yesterday’s attack in Southport is washing over me continuously, and I’m just completely in shock.
“The loss of life and innocence, and the horrendous trauma inflicted on everyone who was there, the families and first responders. 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.”
CREDT: Taylor Swift/Instagram
Swift played three concerts in nearby Liverpool in June as part of the UK and Ireland leg of her ongoing ‘Eras Tour’.
Following the attack, two of her fans set up a fundraiser in aid of the Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, where some of the injured have been treated. The JustGiving page has raised over £330,000 at the time of writing.
Far-right protestors descended on the streets of Southport in the wake of the stabbing. They clashed with police and disrupted a peaceful vigil held for the victims.
Commenting on the events, the Muslim Council Of Britain (MCB) paid tribute to the girls killed in the attack and highlighted how a “false rumour on the internet” had led to a rise in Islamophobia in the area.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer previously called the Southport incident “horrendous and deeply shocking”, adding: “My thoughts are with all those affected.” He also thanked the emergency services and Merseyside Police for their response to “the most difficult of circumstances”.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper wrote: “The news from Southport is truly devastating. My heart goes out to all the families affected by this horrific incident & to the whole community.”
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