Taylor Swift has made a heartbreaking statement following a devastating incident in Southport on Monday (29 July) which saw two children killed.
Two children were confirmed dead with multiple in critical condition following the stabbing in Merseyside.
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A 17-year-old man from Banks, Lancashire, was arrested over the 'ferocious' attack and is being questioned on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.
It is reported that the children were attending a Taylor Swift-themed dance class at the time of the incident.
Taylor Swift wrote on her Instagram Story today: "The horror of yesterday’s attack in Southport is washing over me continuously, and I’m just completely in shock...
"The loss of life and innocence, the horrendous trauma inflicted on everyone who was there, the families, 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."
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The ages of the children, or whether boys or girls, has not been released by police.
While it is not being treated as terror-related, police have said the motive behind the heinous act is currently unclear.
Merseyside Police declared a major incident after the attack, with armed response, 13 ambulances and the fire service called out to the scene, believed to be a holiday club for children aged six to 11.
Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said: “When 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.
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“It 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.
“As a mum of two daughters, and the nanna of a five-year-old grand-daughter, I cannot begin to imagine the pain and suffering the families of the victims are currently going through, and I want to send them our heartfelt condolences and sympathies.”
Meanwhile, one resident, who did not want to be named, said he was at home when a woman pulled up outside in her car.
He said: “She was screaming ‘my daughter’s been stabbed’.
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“The woman was in hysterics. Then two police cars rushed up the street the other way.
“It was a mum with her 10-year-old daughter who had been stabbed.
“I helped to get her back up to where the police cars and ambulances were.
“She didn’t look great but my focus was on getting her back up the street to get help.
“When I got back up the street there were a couple of kids on the floor being seen to by paramedics and, as I came back, more police cars were going down and more ambulances gradually started to arrive.”
Topics: Taylor Swift, UK News, Crime
Lucy Devine