Taylor Swift has spoken out about the “horror” of yesterday’s mass stabbing in Southport, expressing her “sympathies” to those involved.
As BBC News reports, three children were killed in a knife attack that took place at a Swift-themed dance and yoga workshop on Hart Street on Monday July 29. The victims were all girls aged six, seven and nine.
Five other children and two adults remain in a critical condition.
A 17-year-old male has been arrested on suspicion of murder, and remains in custody. According to police, he is originally from Cardiff and lived in the village of Banks close to Southport in Merseyside, England.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the stabbing “horrendous and deeply shocking”, adding: “My thoughts are with all those affected.” He also thanked the emergency services and Merseyside Police for their response to “the most difficult of circumstances”.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper wrote: “The news from Southport is truly devastating. My heart goes out to all the families affected by this horrific incident & to the whole community.”
Today (July 30), pop star Swift shared a handwritten statement on her Instagram Stories feed.
“The horror of yesterday’s attack in Southport is washing over me continuously, and I’m just completely in shock,” she wrote.
“The loss of life and innocence, and the horrendous trauma inflicted on everyone who was there, the families and first responders.”
The singer continued: “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.”
See a screenshot of Swift’s message above.
Fans of the ‘Midnights’ artist have raised almost £57,000 for the Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, where some of the injured have been treated.
A description on the JustGiving page reads: “We are working with Alder Hey Children’s Hospital to help raise money for the families affected by the tragedy in Southport, and raising funeral funds for the two young swifties who have tragically passed.
“Every donation through this link goes directly to the verified charity below, which will in turn help make a difference to those impacted in a time of great sadness.”
The stabbing is believed to be an isolated incident, and it is not being treated as terror-related. Police are not looking for other suspects in connection with the attack. However, the motivation for the incident currently remains “unclear”.
In a statement to the press, Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said: “It is understood that 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.
“We believe that the adults who were injured were bravely trying to protect the children who were being attacked.”
Swift played three concerts in the nearby Liverpool last month as part of the UK and Ireland leg of her ongoing ‘Eras Tour’.
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