Taylor Swift has expressed her profound shock and sorrow following a tragic stabbing incident on July 29 at a Taylor Swift-themed children’s dance and yoga class in northwestern England. The attack resulted in the deaths of three young girls and injuries to several others, told CBS News.
“The horror of yesterday’s attack in Southport is washing over me continuously, and I’m just completely in shock,” Swift, 34, wrote in an Instagram story 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. I am at a complete loss for how to ever convey my sympathies to these families.”
The victims, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, Bebe King, 6, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9, succumbed to injuries sustained during the violent knife attack, according to a statement issued by Merseyside Police. Two adults and eight children were also wounded and remain hospitalized, with both adults and five of the children in critical condition.
“No words can describe the devastation that has hit our family as [we] try to deal with the loss of our little girl Bebe,” Bebe’s family shared in a statement. “Keep smiling and dancing like you love to do our Princess. Like we said before to you, you’re always our princess and no one would change that. Love from Your Hero Daddy and Mummy.”
The stabbing occurred shortly before noon at a dance studio in Southport, a seaside town about 20 miles north of Liverpool. Merseyside Police’s Chief Constable Serena Kennedy provided details in a statement following the attack.
“When [officers] 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,” she said. “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.”
A 17-year-old male from Banks, a village in Lancashire, England, north of Southport, was arrested at the scene on “suspicion of murder and attempted murder,” according to the statement. The suspect was taken to a local police station and interviewed by detectives. A representative for Merseyside Police told The Epoch Times via email that the male remains in police custody and no charges have been made.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the stabbing rampage “horrendous and deeply shocking” in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. “My thoughts are with all those affected,” he wrote, thanking the police and emergency services for their quick response. “I am being kept updated as the situation develops.”
Horrendous and deeply shocking news emerging from Southport. My thoughts are with all those affected.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) July 29, 2024
I would like to thank the police and emergency services for their swift response.
I am being kept updated as the situation develops.