CELEBRITY
Sad News đTwo Children Dead and Six in Critical Condition After âHorror Movieâ Stabbings
Two children have died and six are in a critical condition following a âhorror movieâ knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed yoga class.
Merseyside Police said a 17-year-old boy, from the village of Banks, was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder following the âmajor incidentâ at a property in Hart Street, Southport, north of Liverpool, at about 11.50am on Monday.
The teenager, who is originally from Cardiff, remains in custody, police said.
Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said as well as the two children who died, nine children were injured in the âferociousâ attack and two adults are also in a critical condition.
We believe the adults who were injured were bravely trying to protect the children who were being attacked
Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy
Ms Kennedy said the force believe the adults were injured while âbravelyâ trying to protect the children.
She told reporters: âMy officers were called to reports of a stabbing at 11.47 this morning at an address in Southport.
âWhen they 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.
âIt is understood the children were attending a Taylor Swift event at a dance school when the offender armed with a knife walked into the premises and started to attack the children inside.
âWe believe the adults who were injured were bravely trying to protect the children who were being attacked.â
Ms Kennedy said the motivation for the attack is âunclearâ but it is currently not being treated as terror-related.
Following the press conference, the Prime Minister offered his condolences to the victims of the attack in Southport, and their families and friends, saying âthe whole country is deeply shockedâ.
Witnesses described hearing âscreamingâ and seeing bleeding children running from the scene.
Colin Parry, owner of Masters Vehicle Body Repairs, said: âThe mothers are coming here now and screaming.
âIt is like a scene from a horror movie.â
North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) said victims were taken to Alder Hey Childrenâs Hospital, Aintree University Hospital and Southport and Formby hospital.
Alder Hey declared a major incident and asked parents not to bring their children to the emergency department unless it was urgent.
A large police cordon was put up around the building in Hart Road, with police officers guarding either end.
Officers and vehicles could be seen from a distance inside the cordon, including scenes-of-crime officers in white boiler suits.
Bare Varathan, 35, who owns a corner shop in Hart Street, said: âI saw seven to 10 kids outside the nursery. They were injured, bleeding. They were in the road, running from the nursery.
âThey had been stabbed, here, here, here, everywhere. (Mr Varathan indicated the neck, back and chest area)
âThey were all aged about 10.
âOnly two police jeeps and ambulances arrived, then armed police came and took him out of the nursery.
âSomebody told me he had arrived in a taxi and had a knife.â
Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy speaking to the media at Southport Community Fire Centre (James Speakman/PA)
One resident, who lives in Hart Street but did not want to be named, said he was at home about midday when a woman pulled up outside in her car, screaming.
He said: âShe was screaming âmy daughterâs been stabbedâ.
âIt was a mum with her 10-year-old daughter who had been stabbed.
âI helped to get her back up to where the police cars and ambulances were.
âShe didnât look great but my focus was on getting her back up the street to get help.â
A large and growing media presence with reporters, photographers and TV crews assembled at the police tape.
Dozens of police cars, vans, fire engines and ambulances were also assembled a short distance away at a local school.