Taylor Swift in 'shock' as 3 kids die at UK fan event
Taylor Swift was shocked and in disbelief after a devastating attack at a children's dance workshop celebrating her music claimed the lives of three young girls. Eight other children were critically injured in the knife attack in Southport, England, which police described as “ferocious.”
"The horror of yesterday’s attack in Southport is washing over me continuously and I’m just completely in shock," the singer said on Tuesday in an Instagram Story.
"These were just little kids at a dance class,” she added. “I am at a complete loss for how to ever convey my sympathies to these families."
The event was a Taylor Swift-themed dance and yoga class children aged 6 to 11. The victims were identified as Bebe King, 6, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9. Two adults were also critically wounded while protecting the children.
Police arrested a 17-year-old man on suspicion of murder and attempted murder following the attack. A knife was recovered at the scene. The suspect is originally from Cardiff, Wales, but has lived in the Southport area since 2013.
Colin Parry, a business owner adjacent to the community center hosting the children's event, described a scene of utter horror. He told Sky News that a colleague alerted him to an incident outside, where he witnessed the aftermath of the attack.
“It was definitely intentional. It wasn’t once. It was several times he stabbed these kids," he said.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited the site the day after the attack and thanked emergency service workers.
"What you did was incredible and I hope you know that, and I hope you feel proud of the part that you played in the most difficult circumstances, to do what you could for those young lives and other lives as well, but those young lives," he said.
Starmer also laid a floral wreath with a note that said: "To the victims, families and people of Southport, our hearts are broken, there are no words for such profound loss. The nation’s thoughts are with you."
King Charles III has also spoken out, saying he and his wife Queen Camilla are "profoundly shocked."
“My wife and I have been profoundly shocked to hear of the utterly horrific incident in Southport today,” he wrote. “We send our most heartfelt condolences, prayers and deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of those who have so tragically lost their lives, and to all those affected by this truly appalling attack.”