Knifeman, 17, wearing ‘mask and hood’ stabbed children at Taylor Swift event, leaving two dead and six seriously injured

A 17-year-old stabber who left two children dead after stabbing at a Taylor Swift-themed event was wearing a mask and hood, witnesses said.

Six other young people were left in a critical condition and three children also suffered stab wounds in the chaos in Southport, Merseyside, today.

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Officers rushed to a property in Hart Street, Southport, at around 11.50am today as chaos broke out on the road.

The youngsters were attacked in scenes described as “out of a horror movie” at the pop star-themed yoga and dance workshop.

A 17-year-old boy from Banks has been arrested on suspicion of murder by force after several children and adults were injured in the tragedy, Merseyside Police said.

Since then, several witnesses have reported seeing a man in a “black hood” at the scene of the horror.

A Hart Space staff member, who wished to remain anonymous, said he had heard that the suspect was wearing a “black hood” when he stabbed several children.

The staff member told SWNS: “There were probably 25 kids there because that’s the most we have there and they maxed out.

“I don’t even know if the teachers are okay, they posted the other day that they were full for Taylor Swift’s vacation club this morning.

“Apparently it was a guy in a black hoodie. But he was arrested.”

Another witness said The times that he saw a man wearing a mask refusing to pay a taxi driver before fleeing the scene.

Moments later, he saw girls staggering out of the workshop covered in blood before calling the police.

All nine injured children were stabbed and six are in critical condition.

Merseyside Police Chief Serena Kennedy told a news conference that children were attending a Taylor Swift event at a dance school when a 17-year-old with a knife walked in and began attacking.

She said adults “bravely” tried to protect children during the “horrendous and ferocious attack”.

The police chief said the suspect’s motive is unclear at this early stage, but the investigation is not being treated as terrorism-related.

A local business owner, who was one of the people who called police, said the incident was similar to a “scene from a horror movie.”

Leigh Walton, 50, who owns Yates Motor Engineers in the same street, told the Sun: “Police were searching the yard as the man ran away and were looking for him under cars.

“The house is not advertised as a daycare center, but it is. This is a shocking incident, it’s not a crime hub over there, it’s a quiet area.

“There are more than 50 police vehicles present and air ambulances circulating overhead.

“I saw the armed response from the black Volvo rushing to the scene and the parents looking distressed.”

What we know so far…

• Two children died after being stabbed
• Nine other children were injured and six are in critical condition
• Two adults are also in critical condition after bravely trying to save the youngsters
• Armed police were called to the scene in Hart Street, Southport, at 11.50am.
• A 17-year-old teenager was arrested and a knife seized
• The patients were taken to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Aintree University Hospital and Southport and Formby Hospital.
• The attack reportedly took place at a Taylor Swift-themed event

Dave Kitchin, head of duty at the North West Ambulance Service in Cheshire and Merseyside, said paramedics found a “devastating scene” when they arrived.

He added that ambulances and air ambulances were used to take the 13 victims to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Manchester Children’s Hospital, Aintree Hospital, Southport Formby Hospital and Ormskirk Hospital.

Alder Hey declared a “serious incident”, saying its emergency department was “currently extremely busy” and asked parents to only bring their children to the department if it was urgent.

Meanwhile, firefighters arrived at the scene of the stabbings to provide trauma care, administer first aid and search for others who may have been caught up in the attack.

Officers have warned people to avoid the area but say there is no wider threat to the public.

Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said: “Today I am here to report that two children have died as a result of injuries sustained in this morning’s knife attack.

“Nine other children were injured and six of them are in critical condition.

“All of the injured suffered stab wounds during the attack and two adults are also in a critical condition after being injured during the incident.

“A 17-year-old from Banks in Lancashire, originally from Cardiff, has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.

“And he was taken to a police station where he will be questioned by detectives.

“My officers were called to reports of a stabbing at 11.47am this morning at an address in Southport.

“When they arrived, they were shocked to discover that a number of people, many of whom were children, had been subjected to a vicious attack and suffered serious injuries.

“It is understood that the children were attending a Taylor Swift event at a dance school when the attacker armed with a knife entered the venue and began attacking the children inside.

“We believe the injured adults courageously tried to protect the children who were being attacked.

“As a mother and grandmother, I cannot imagine the pain and suffering that the families of the victims are going through right now and I want to send them my sincerest condolences.

“Our specialist Family Liaison Officers are providing support to families of deceased children and children who are injured at this time and we will work with our partners, including Sefton Council, to provide wider trauma support for those who have been affected by this incident.”

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