Southport: Thousands gather for vigil as three girls killed in knife attack named by police
ITV News Correspondent Ben Chapman reports on a very dark day for Southport
Three girls killed in a deadly knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport have been named by police as thousands gather for a vigil to remember them.
Six-year-old Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar all died of their injuries following a "ferocious" attack on Monday, 29 July.
Eight other children suffered stab wounds and five are in a critical condition, alongside two adults who were critically injured.
Those injured were taken to multiple hospitals in the area, with seven children taken to Alder Hey Children's Hospital.
A 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, remains in custody accused of murder and attempted murder following the incident at a dance studio in Hart Street.
Thousands gathered in Southport town centre on Tuesday evening for a vigil and minute's silence to remember the girls killed, as the community tries to come to terms with the attack.
The vigil on Lord Street was also held to show support and solidarity with everyone affected by this terrible event.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Bebe King's family said: "No words can describe the devastation that has hit our family as we try to deal with the loss of our little girl Bebe."
The mother and father of Alice said: "Keep smiling and dancing like you love to do our Princess, like we said before to you, you're always our princess and no one would change that. Love from Your Hero Daddy and Mummy."
Eight other children suffered stab wounds and five are in a critical condition, alongside two adults who were critically injured.
Bebe attended Marshside Primary school, and the head teacher has released a tribute to the six-year-old.
Natasha Sandland, Head Teacher of Marshside Primary School, said: “Words cannot do justice to describe the grief and upset our Marshside community are feeling today.
“We are deeply saddened by the awful news that we have lost one of our brightest and most wonderful shining stars in Bebe.
“Right now our focus is on supporting Bebe’s family and her friends, our staff and our community who have been left numb by this tragic incident."
Elsie was a pupil at Farnborough Road Infant School, and their head teacher has also released a statement on behalf of the school.
Miss Jennifer Sephton, Head Teacher at Farnborough Road Infant School, said: “We are heartbroken and devastated by the passing of Elsie.
“Elsie has been a loving and bright member of our wonderful community since first being brought here on her father’s shoulders and even at her early age she was such a caring and charismatic young lady who loved to please..
She continued to say: “It is immensely difficult to put into words how amazing Elsie was and the impact she had on those around her. We will miss you dearly Elsie."
Specialist police officers are supporting the families involved "at this terrible time", Merseyside Police say.
A 17-year-old boy, born in Cardiff, is being held on suspicion of murder and attempted murder following the attack in Hart Street, Southport, on Monday, 29 July.
Further details of the victims, including age and gender, have not been given by police, who said they are not treating the incident as terror-related but added the motive “remains unclear”.
The force has urged for people to not speculate on details of the incident, and say a name shared on social media in connection with the suspect is "incorrect".
The Portuguese government has confirmed Alice was a Portuguese national, and that her parents were originally from Madeira. She was set to turn 10 in October.
In a statement released on Tuesday, a spokesperson said: "The Regional Government, through the Regional Directorate for Communities and External Cooperation (DRCCE), sends a solidarity hug to the parents, and addresses the most heartfelt and deep condolences to the entire bereaved family.
"The DRCCE also informs that it is fully available to act and provide support, within the competences of the Region."
On a visit to Southport on Tuesday, the Prime Minister placed his own floral tribute among hundreds of others at the police cordon on Hart Street.
Sir Keir said the attack “touches a nerve” with the whole country and said: “It’s awful to contemplate what happened.
"To hear for myself the experiences of the first responders, what they had to deal with, it’s really hard to take in for anybody.
“It’s not what any of them came to work for but, of course, they’re professionals and they deal with it.”
The Home Secretary Yvette Cooper lays flowers at the scene of the attack in Southport.
All the Southport stabbing casualties are being treated in hospitals, including children’s hospitals in Liverpool and Manchester.
The fully-booked club for children, which was advertised as a dance and yoga workshop as well as bracelet-making, quickly became something “like a horror movie”, witnesses to the deadly stabbings have said.
US singer Taylor Swift said she is “completely in shock” after the “horror” of the knife attack.
The Home Secretary laid flowers at the scene on Tuesday, alongside Southport MP Patrick Hurley, Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service’s Chief Fire Officer Phil Garrigan and Merseyside police and crime commissioner Emily Spurrell.
Yvette Cooper stood for a few moments looking at the tributes before laying her flowers and reading some of the messages left by others. She and Mr Hurley hugged.
"It is beyond every parent's worse nightmare", the Home Secretary said.
She went onto say that knife crime is a "moral mission" for the Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who is planning to visit Southport on Tuesday afternoon.
Yvetter Cooper added: "But I think for today, the issue really is about Southport and the families who have been affected and all of us praying for the injured children and the little children who have been lost."
One of the adults injured in the attack is reported to be Jonathan Haynes, who was attempting to disarm the attacker, his wife confirmed to ITV News.
Helen Hayes said: “Our office is across the landing from the dance studio in the same building.
"Everyone in the office heard the screams but they didn’t know what was on the other side of the door until they opened it.
"Jon was confronted with a child who was injured. He tried to disarm the attacker and was stabbed in the thigh.
"I’ve spoken to him. He’s tired and emotional but hopefully he will be allowed home later today.”
A children's yoga teacher is believed to be one of two adults critically injured in hospital, after she tried to save children during the attack.
Leanne Lucas was one of the organisers of the Taylor Swift themed dance event at The Hart Space on Hart Street, where a man entered and began attacking people with a knife.
The American singer, who is currently on a world tour, has said she is “completely in shock” after the “horror” of the attack, in a post on Instagram.
Taylor Swift wrote: “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, and the horrendous trauma inflicted on everyone who was there, the families, and 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.”
A fundraiser set up by Swift fans has raised at least £300,000 for the victims, who were attacked at a Swift-themed event.
"Swifties for Southport" is encouraging fans of the American star to donate towards funeral costs, and to support the families of those involved.
"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," a statement read.
"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. Forever and always, thank you."
The King said on Monday evening that he and the Queen had been “profoundly shocked” to hear of the “utterly horrific incident in Southport today”.
Charles added: “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.”
The Prince and Princess of Wales said: “As parents, we cannot begin to imagine what the families, friends and loved ones of those killed and injured in Southport today are going through.
“We send our love, thoughts and prayers to all those involved in this horrid and heinous attack.
“Thank you also to the emergency responders who, despite being met with the most horrific scenes, demonstrated compassion and professionalism when your community needed you most.”
The suspect is from Banks, a village outside Southport, and a road in the area was cordoned off by police on Monday afternoon.
Merseyside Police had declared a major incident at the scene in Southport, after receiving emergency calls at 11:50am on Monday, with armed response vehicles, 13 ambulances and the fire service descending on the scene, a school holiday club for children aged six to 11.
The children were attending an event at the dance school when the offender walked into the premises with a knife and attacked them.
One local said one of the two adults injured in the attack locked herself in a room with children to protect them as eyewitnesses reported hearing screaming and seeing children “covered” in blood, suffering stab wounds.
MP for Southport Patrick Hurley posted a statement on X: “My thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and families of the horrific attack on Hart Street today.
“I am deeply saddened by the news that two children have been fatally injured.
“I hope for the swift and full recovery of all the other victims of this senseless attack and I thank the staff at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Southport and Formby Hospital, and Aintree University Hospital for their care for those affected.”
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said she “can’t even begin to imagine the depth of pain and suffering” felt by the families affected by the stabbings in Southport.
She told MPs: “I know the whole House will join me in sending our deepest condolences and strength in the hours ahead to those affected by yesterday’s shocking incident in Southport.
“And as a mother and grandmother, I can’t even begin to imagine the depth of pain and suffering of those involved.
“I’d like to echo the words of (Labour MP for Southport Patrick Hurley) in thanking the police and the emergency services for their swift response, and our thoughts and prayers are with those who have already sadly lost loved ones, and (those who) are now fighting for their lives as well.”
The tributes came as ITV News obtained footage of a person pacing back and forth outside a house.
An individual wearing a green hoodie and a face mask can be seen walking back and forth outside the front door of a house.
Later footage shows several police cars and a group of officers, including some who are armed, appearing at the same house.
Cllr Marion Atkinson, the leader of Sefton Council, said: “It is entirely understandable and appropriate that local people want to gather and show their support and solidarity.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected at this incredibly sad time.”
A council spokesman said a book of remembrance will be available for people to sign at the Atkinson.
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