A THIRD girl has died from her injuries in the knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport.
Merseyside Police said the girl died in the early hours of this morning, following the deaths of two other girls, aged six and seven, in Monday’s attack.
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A 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, remains in custody charged with murder and attempted murder following the incident at the dance studio in Hart Street.
Eight other children suffered stab wounds and five were in critical condition, alongside two adults who were seriously injured, police said.
The packed kids’ club, which was billed as a dance and yoga workshop as well as bracelet-making, quickly became something “like a horror movie,” witnesses to the deadly stabbings said.
Taylor Swift says she is “completely in shock” after the “horror” of the knife attack.
What we know so far…
- Armed police were called to the scene in Hart Street, Southport, at 11.47am on Monday.
- Three girls died after being stabbed – two aged six and seven
- Eight other children were injured and five remain in critical condition
- Two adults are also in critical condition – one of them is teacher Leanne Lucas, 35
- A 17-year-old boy, from Cardiff, was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder, and a knife seized
- A video shows an individual wearing a green hoodie and a face mask walking back and forth outside
- 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 dance event
- Swift posted a message about the incident on social media
- Event organizer Heidi Liddle escaped unharmed after locking children in a bathroom to protect them
- Jonathan Hayes, 63, ran into the dance studio and tried to defend himself from the attacker, being stabbed in the leg
A police statement said: “Sadly we can confirm that a third child has passed away as a result of injuries sustained in a knife attack in Southport yesterday morning, Monday 29 July.
“The nine-year-old girl died in hospital in the early hours of Tuesday, July 30th.
“We can confirm that the children who died yesterday were girls aged six and seven.
“Another eight children suffered stab wounds during the attack and five of them are in critical condition.
“Two adults are also in a critical condition after being injured during the incident.
“Our specialist family liaison officers are providing support to families at this terrible time.
“Yesterday, officers arrested a 17-year-old man from Banks and he remains in police custody.”
BRAVE HEROES
Teachers Leanne Lucas and her colleague Heidi, both 35, bravely protected dozens of children during the incident at their summer camp.
Leanne is fighting for her life in hospital after “bravely trying to protect” children at Hart Space Studios.
Her colleague Heidi escaped unharmed after heroically locking some of the children inside a bathroom to keep them safe.
Meanwhile, Jonathan Hayes, 63, ran into the dance studio and tried to defend himself from the attacker moments after hearing screams coming from his nearby office.
He was reportedly stabbed in the leg after placing himself between the attacker and the children.
Chief Constable Serena Kennedy, of Merseyside Police, said all those injured suffered stab wounds in the “ferocious attack”.
She added: “We believe the injured adults courageously tried to protect the children who were being attacked.”
The suspect, from Banks, Lancashire, was arrested on suspicion of murder, the force said.
The boy, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, is in custody accused of murder and attempted murder.
It comes after a masked man was photographed outside a house which was later raided by police.
Video obtained by ITV shows an individual wearing a green hoodie and face mask pacing back and forth outside the front door.
Doorbell footage shows several police cars and a group of officers, including some armed, showing up at the same house.
A member of the Hart Space team, who wished to remain anonymous, said he had heard that the suspect was wearing a “black hoodie” when he allegedly stabbed several children.
Police said that while the motive for the attack was unclear, it was not believed to be related to terrorism.
They said, “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.”
Meanwhile, at the scene, flowers and teddy bears were left by the police cordon.
A message on a “Thinking of You” card said “thoughts and prayers” are with those affected and was signed: “Love – Southport”.
Another added: “Fly high with the angels, little ones.”
Merseyside Police declared a major incident as armed response vehicles, 13 ambulances and firefighters arrived at the scene of the mass casualties.
Timeline of the Southport summer camp attack
Monday, July 29th
10 a.m
Taylor Swift-themed yoga and dance workshop kicks off at The Hart Space on Hart Street
11:47 am
Police are called to report a stabbing and a serious incident is declared
5:25 p.m.
Police confirm that a 17-year-old man has been arrested – and later clarify that he was detained on suspicion of murder and attempted murder
7:18 p.m.
Police confirm that two children died
Tuesday, July 30th
8:30 am
Police confirm suspect continues to be questioned
10:30 am
Taylor Swift posts tribute on Instagram
Midday
Police confirm a third girl has died – they also say the ages of the first two deaths were six and seven
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
