3rd Child Dies After Dance Class Stabbings in Southport

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper near the stabbing attack scene in Hart Street, Southport, on July 30, 2024. James Speakman/PA

A 9-year-old girl is the third child to die from injuries sustained in the knife attack in Southport, Merseyside Police confirmed on Tuesday.

The girl passed away in hospital in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Two other children who were killed in the stabbing attack on Hart Street in Southport were girls aged 6 and 7.

Police were called shortly before noon to Hart Street on Monday and were shocked to find so many casualties, most of them children with serious injuries. The stabbing took place at a Taylor Swift-themed dance and yoga workshop.

Five children and two adults remain in critical condition. According to Merseyside Police, the two adults tried to shield the pupils from the attacker.

Ongoing Investigation

Police arrested a 17-year-old Cardiff-born male from Lancashire on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. He remains in custody and continues to be questioned by detectives. The police are not currently treating the incident as terror-related.

“At this early stage, enquiries are ongoing to establish the motive for this tragic incident and we would urge people not to speculate while the investigation is ongoing,” police said in a statement.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, who arrived in Southport on Tuesday, has warned against “speculating or commenting” on the criminal investigation before updates have been provided by police.

“Merseyside Police are leading this extremely important and serious criminal investigation. This was a horrific attack and they need to be able to get on with that work, and they will provide us with updates.

“You’ll understand that others should not be speculating or commenting in advance of those updates and we really welcome the work of Merseyside Police, but it’s also important that they pursue every single angle of inquiry,” Ms. Cooper said.

Joined by the local MP Patrick Hurley, Ms. Cooper laid flowers at the police cordon on Hart Street. She has spoken to Merseyside’s chief constable and thanked the emergency services that attended the scene after the attack.

“The news from Southport is truly devastating. My heart goes out to all the families affected by this horrific incident & to the whole community,” Ms. Cooper said on social media platform X, following the news of the attack.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer could also be visiting Southport, and described the attack as “horrendous and deeply shocking.”

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper reads messages left on flowers near the scene in Southport, England, on July 30, 2024. James Speakman/PA

“He said the thoughts of the whole Cabinet and the entire country would be with those who were attacked and their families who are going through an unimaginable ordeal. He added that it was hard to find words to express what the grieving families and community must be going through,” the prime minister’s official spokesman said.

Parliament is set to hear a statement on the Southport incident on Tuesday afternoon.

‘Complete Shock’

In a statement released on Tuesday, pop star Taylor Swift said she was “in complete shock” after the stabbing attack.

“The loss of life and innocence, and the horrendous trauma inflicted on everyone who was there, the families and the 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 singer said in a post released on social media.

Organisers of the Taylor Swift UK and EU group on Facebook have launched a fundraiser to help the affected families.

A child puts flowers on a pile of tributes near Hart Street in Southport, England, on July 30, 2024. James Speakman/PA

Working with Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, where many victims have been treated, the crowdfunding page called Swifties for Southport has raised more than £77,500.

A vigil in support of all affected by the tragedy will take place in Southport on Tuesday evening.

“I would like to show these families that as a community, everyone in Southport supports you,” said vigil organiser Karlie Walker.

King Charles has condemned the Southport stabbings, calling it an “utterly horrific incident” in a statement.

PA Media contributed to this report.