TAYLOR Swift has issued a statement after an “horrendous” attack in Southport left two children dead and more fighting for their lives.
A 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, remains in custody accused of murder and attempted murder following the incident in Hart Street, Southport, on Monday, Merseyside Police said.
Nine children were injured in the stabbings, alongside the two who died and two adults who remain in a critical condition after attempting to protect the youngsters.
The attack happened at a dance studio which was holding a Taylor Swift-themed event.
At the scene, flowers and teddies had been left by the police cordon in Hart Street.
One message in a “Thinking Of You” card said “thoughts and prayers” are with those affected and was signed: “Love – Southport.”
Another said: “Fly high with angels little ones.”
On Tuesday morning, Swift issued a statement on the attack to her 283 million followers on Instagram.
The US pop singer 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.”
Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said that, after receiving reports of a stabbing at 11.47am, officers were “shocked to find that multiple people, many of whom were children, had been subjected to a ferocious attack and had suffered serious injuries”.
Some described the attack as “like a horror movie”, and others spoke of hearing “screaming” and seeing bleeding children running from the incident.
Emergency services said the scene was “horrific” and “chaotic” as they arrived at the children’s club.
Police said the suspect, who was born in Cardiff, is from the village of Banks, just outside Southport, and a road in the area was cordoned off by detectives on Monday afternoon.
All the casualties are being treated in hospitals, including children’s hospitals in Liverpool and Manchester.
Merseyside Police declared a major incident at the scene in Southport on Monday, with armed response vehicles, 13 ambulances and the fire service descending on the mass casualty scene.
The King said he and the Queen had been “profoundly shocked” to hear of the “utterly horrific incident in Southport today”.
The Prince and Princess of Wales described it as a “horrid and heinous” attack, adding: “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.”
