A 17-year-old boy has been charged with the murder of three kids after they were stabbed to death at a Taylor Swift-themed event.
The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has also been charged with ten counts of attempted murder after the horrific knife rampage in Southport.
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The 17-year-old, of Banks, Lancashire, remains in custody and will appear at Liverpool City Magistrates’ Court today.
Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, were fatally stabbed on Monday.
A further eight youngsters, five of whom are in a critical condition, suffered stab wounds at the summer holiday dance class.
Two female teachers are also in a critical condition after trying to bravely defend the children.
Sarah Hammond, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS Mersey-Cheshire, said: “The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised Merseyside Police to charge a 17-year-old male, of Banks, Lancashire, with three counts of murder and ten counts of attempted murder following the tragic incident that took place in Southport this week.
“He will appear at Liverpool City Magistrates’ Court on Thursday August 1, 2024.
“We remind all concerned that criminal proceedings against the defendant are active and that he has the right to a fair trial.
“It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary, or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.
“Our thoughts remain with the families of all of those affected by these harrowing events.”
Dance teacher Leanne Lucas is understood to be one of the two female adults fighting for their lives in hospital.
Leanne was stabbed in the arms, neck and back as she used her body to shield young girls from the knifeman.
She is understood to have led some of the youngsters to safety via a fire exit.
Her colleague Heidi escaped uninjured after heroically locking some of the children inside a toilet to keep them safe.
Meanwhile, Jonathan Hayes, 63, ran into the dance studio and tried to fend off the attacker moments after hearing screams from his nearby office and was stabbed in the leg.
Police have said the suspect, who was born in Cardiff, is from just outside Southport.
A road in the area was cordoned off by detectives following the attack.
Witnesses described seeing scenes “like a horror film” as the attack unfolded shortly before midday on Monday.
Emergency services also said the scene was “horrific” and “chaotic” as they arrived at the children’s club.
Southport summer camp attack timeline
Monday, July 29
10am
Taylor Swift-themed yoga and dance workshop begins at The Hart Space in Hart Street
11.47am
Police are called to reports of a stabbing and a major incident is declared
Emergency services later say the scene was “horrific” and “chaotic” as they arrived at the children’s club
5.25pm
Police say 17-year-old male was arrested, before later clarifying he had been detained on suspicion of murder and attempted murder
7.18pm
Police confirm two young children, aged six and seven, have died following the horror attack
Tuesday, July 30
8.30am
Police confirm the suspect remains in custody and continues to be questioned
10.30am
Taylor Swift posts tribute on Instagram, saying she is “completely in shock”
12.30pm
Police confirm a third child, a nine-year-old girl, has died in hospital
Colin Parry, owner of nearby Masters Vehicle Body Repairs, described how a builder helped lead some of the children away from the scene of the attack and neighbours helped take “about 10 girls to safety”.
The youngsters are said to have been attacked at the pop star-themed yoga and dance workshop.
Speaking hours after the attack, Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said: “My officers were called to reports of a stabbing at 11.47 this morning, at an address in Southport.
“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.
“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 inside.”
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“We believe that the adults who were injured were bravely trying to protect the children who were being attacked.”
Merseyside Police declared a major incident with armed response vehicles, 13 ambulances and the fire service descending on the mass casualty scene.
All the casualties are being treated in hospitals, including children’s hospitals in Liverpool and Manchester.
The holiday club was advertised as including a dance and yoga workshop as well as bracelet making.
Social media posts promoting the event said the class was “open to children in Year 2 – Year 6”.
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