The Merseyside Police confirmed that two children died in the stabbing attack at a Taylor Swift dance party that rocked a U.K. town late Monday morning as they added that nine other children were injured, six of them critically .
Two adults were also critically injured in the attack, making for a total of 13 casualties — 11 children and two adults, with eight of the injured in critical condition. The police said it is believed that the adults who were injured were "bravely trying to protect the children who were being attacked."
The scene in Southport was harrowing on Monday in the early afternoon hours as the Merseyside Police worked tirelessly to figure out what had happened inside The Hart Space, the small space offering dance and craft classes for children where the stabbing took place.
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The police confirmed during the press conference that the 17-year-old from Banks was, in fact, in police custody and that detectives were questioning him as he faces charges of murder and attempted murder. The police said he was originally from Cardiff, Wales. No motive for the brutal attack was yet announced or revealed.
It was initially reported that eight individuals were taken to local hospitals by the North West Ambulance Service, which responded to the scene on Hart Street in Southport — a town about 20 miles north of Liverpool on England's west coast — at approximately 11:48 a.m., with the Merseyside Police arriving around the same time and taking a 17-year-old male into custody.
Alder Hey Children's Hospital Trust in Liverpool, where many of the children were taken for treatment, declared a "major incident" in a statement to the Liverpool ECHO, describing how its emergency room had become overwhelmed amid the incident.
A hospital spokesperson wrote, "The Trust is working with other emergency services to respond to this incident and our Emergency Department is currently extremely busy. We ask parents to only bring their children to the Emergency Department if it is urgent. All other appointments and services are running as normal."
The Merseyside police urged individuals to avoid the area as the investigation continues. One man told the ECHO that his daughter was one of the children slated to attend the Taylor Swift-themed dance party, which was reportedly geared toward children between the ages of 3 and 12.
It was also confirmed that the police are not investigating the heinous act as one of terrorism and that no other suspects are being looked into. Nevertheless, residents locked themselves inside their homes or stores, with one distraught woman recounting messages she received via a local WhatsApp group just after she heard the sirens screaming into town.
She told the ECHO, "It was about 20 past 12 I think and we heard loads of sirens and then there was a helicopter circling above. Then the messages started to go around the local WhatsApp groups, saying, 'Lock your windows. Lock your doors.' We were told a man was running around stabbing people."
"We are all absolutely terrified, panicking and sick with worry — everyone is trying to reach anyone they know in the area. I don't know how this can happen on a Monday lunchtime," she added. She then recounted how she ran down the street, urging her neighbors to lock their doors and windows as she said one of her neighbors had "barricaded" herself inside her bedroom along with her children.
Several air ambulances flew to the area and treated patients, as did dozens of regular ground ambulances. Over a dozen police cars were spotted in the area as well, it was reported.
The police confirmed early on that there was no longer a threat to the public, though the incident was dubbed "critical" by the police, the ECHO reported. There were also several police helicopters that joined the fray on Monday, some of which continued to circle the neighborhood for hours after the threat had passed, it was reported.
Patrick Hurley, Southport's member of Parliament, said in a statement on X that he's "deeply concerned" by the incident. He added, "I'm hoping for the best possible outcomes to the casualties affected. My thoughts go out to all those affected, their loved ones and to the entire community."
U.K. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper also released a statement about the incident on X, writing, "I am deeply concerned at the very serious incident in Southport. All my thoughts are with the families & loved ones of those affected. I have spoken to the Merseyside Police & Crime Commissioner to convey full support to the police & thanks to the emergency services responding."
Prime Minister Keir Starmer later posted his own statement on X, writing, "Horrendous and deeply shocking news emerging from Southport. My thoughts are with all those affected. I would like to thank the police and emergency services for their swift response. I am being kept updated as the situation develops."
Merseyside Police & Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell released a statement via X about the incident, writing, "Like everyone, I am deeply shocked and concerned about the major incident in #Southport this morning. An arrest has been made and there is no wider risk to the public. I would urge people to be careful about what they share online and not to speculate about this incident. Official updates will follow shortly."
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