Charges have been filed in connection with a mass stabbing in the U.K. that left three young girls dead and several others in critical condition while attending a Taylor Swift-themed dance class.
A 17-year-old boy, whose identity has not been made public due to his age, appeared in court on Thursday facing three counts of murder and 10 counts of attempted murder, according to the Associated Press. Police said only that the male suspect was born in Britain. He has not been charged with terrorism offenses.
Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Bebe King, 6, were tragically killed in the July 29 attack which took place in Southport, England. Eight other children and two adults were also injured.
The AP reports that chaos erupted among protesters as several violent demonstrations unfurled on the streets near Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office following the incident.
A prison van escorted by multiple police vehicles arrives at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court where a 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is appearing charged with three counts of murder, 10 counts of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article, following a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club in Southport on Monday. Picture date: Thursday August 1, 2024. – Danny Lawson/PA Images via Getty Images
People attend the ‘Enough is Enough’ protest in Whitehall, London, following the fatal stabbing of three children at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club on Monday in Southport. Picture date: Wednesday July 31, 2024. – Jordan Pettitt/PA Images via Getty Images
Swift previously broke her silence on the devastating attack with a statement on social media.
“The horror of yesterday’s attack in Southport is washing over me continuously, and I’m just completely in shock,” she wrote on Tuesday. “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.”
She continued, “I am at a complete loss for how to ever convey my sympathies to these families.”
Taylor Swift releases a statement following the deadly stabbing that took place at an event which was set to her music. – Taylor Swift / Instagram
Taylor Swift attends “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” Concert Movie World Premiere at AMC The Grove 14 on October 11, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. – Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images
The royal family was also among the voices speaking out the in the wake of the incident, with King Charles III and Queen Camilla issuing a statement on social media.
“My wife and I have been profoundly shocked to hear of the utterly horrific incident in Southport today,” the king wrote. “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.”
Prince William and Kate Middleton also offered a heartfelt response on x (formerly Twitter).
“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,” the couple wrote. “We send our love, thoughts and prayers to all those involved in this horrid and heinous attack. Thank you also to the emergency responders who, despite being met with the most horrific scenes, demonstrated compassion and professionalism when your community needed you most.”
Floral tributes near the scene in Hart Street, Southport, where two children died and nine were injured in a “ferocious” knife attack during a Taylor Swift event at a dance school on Monday. A 17-year-old male from Banks, Lancashire, has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder over the incident. – James Speakman/PA Images via Getty Images
