Boy, 17, accused of murdering 3 children and seriously injuring 7 others in mass stabbing at Southport dance class

A 17-year-old boy has been charged with the murder of three children after they were stabbed to death at a Taylor Swift-themed event.

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was also charged with ten counts of attempted murder following the horrific knife attack in Southport.

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The 17-year-old, from Banks, Lancashire, remains in custody and will appear at Liverpool City Magistrates Court today.

Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, were stabbed to death on Monday.

Another eight young people, five of whom were in critical condition, suffered stab wounds in the summer holiday dance class.

Two teachers are also in critical condition after trying to bravely defend the children.

Sarah Hammond, Chief Crown Prosecutor at CPS Mersey-Cheshire, said: “The Crown Prosecution Service has authorized Merseyside Police to charge a 17-year-old man from Banks, Lancashire with three counts of murder and ten counts of attempted murder. homicide following the tragic incident in Southport this week.

“He will appear at Liverpool City Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 1 August 2024.

“We remind everyone involved that the criminal proceedings against the defendant are active and that he has the right to a fair trial.

“It is extremely important that there are no reports, comments or sharing of information online that could in any way prejudice these procedures.

“Our thoughts remain with the families of everyone affected by these distressing events.”

Dance teacher Leanne Lucas is believed to be one of two adult women fighting for their lives at the hospital.

Leanne was stabbed in the arms, neck and back as she used her body to shield the girls from the knife.

She reportedly took some of the youths to safety via a fire escape.

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 and was stabbed in the leg.

The police said the suspectwho was born in Cardiff, is from the surroundings of Southport.

A road in the area was cordoned off by detectives following the attack.

Witnesses described seeing scenes “like a Horror film” as the attack unfolded shortly before noon on Monday.

Emergency services also said the scene was “horrific” and “chaotic” when they arrived at the kids’ club.

Colin Parry, owner of nearby Masters Vehicle Body Repairs, described how a builder helped move some of the children away from the scene of the attack and neighbors helped get “about 10 girls to safety.”

The young men were reportedly attacked at the pop star-themed yoga and dance workshop.

Speaking hours after the attack, Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said: “My officers were called to reports of a stabbing at 11.47am. this morningat 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.”

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

Merseyside Police declared a major incident with armed response vehicles, 13 ambulances and firefighters attacking the mass accident scene.

All victims are being treated in hospitals, including children’s hospitals in Liverpool and Manchester.

The holiday The club was advertised as including a dance and yoga workshop, as well as bracelet making.

Social media posts promoting the event said the class was “open to children in grades 2-6.”

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