Current:Home > Stocks2 children dead, 11 injured in mass stabbing at dance school's Taylor Swift-themed class -RiskWatch
2 children dead, 11 injured in mass stabbing at dance school's Taylor Swift-themed class
View
Date:2025-04-14 16:31:26
Two children have died and 11 were injured in a mass-stabbing in Southport, U.K., Monday while attending a Taylor Swift-themed class meant for children.
"It is with great sadness that today I am here to advise that two young children have died as a result of injuries sustained in a knife attack this morning," Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said Monday in a statement shared with USA TODAY.
"Nine other children have been injured, and six of them are in a critical condition," the statement continued. "All those injured have suffered stab wounds sustained during the attack. Two adults are also in a critical condition after being injured during the incident."
A 17-year-old male was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder, Kennedy said, noting that he will be interviewed by detectives. The suspect is from the nearby coastal village of Banks and originally from Cardiff in Wales.
Police were called to reports of a stabbing at 11:47 a.m. at an address in the seaside town of Southport in Merseyside, England.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
"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," Kennedy said.
"It is understood that the children were attending a Taylor Swift event at a dance school when the offender, who was armed with a knife, walked into the premises and started to attack those inside. We believe that the adults who were injured were trying to protect the children at the time they were attacked."
The North West Ambulance Service said in a statement that 11 casualties treated at the scene were transported by ambulance and air ambulance to "Alder Hey and Royal Manchester Children’s hospitals, along with Aintree, Southport and Formby District General and Ormskirk General hospitals."
UK police not investigating mass stabbing as 'terror-related' incident
BBC and The Telegraph reported that the stabbing took place at The Hart Space venue. A sold-out Swift-themed party – hosted by Enlighten Kids Yoga, a club meant for children 2 to 6 years old – was scheduled to take place between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. BST.
USA TODAY has reached out to The Hart Space and Enlighten for comment.
In a statement posted at 5:25 p.m. BST, Merseyside police said, "At this early stage, enquiries are ongoing to establish the motive for this tragic incident and we would urge people not to speculate while the investigation is ongoing."
"We can also confirm that the incident is not currently being treated as terror-related and we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident."
veryGood! (86738)
Related
- Spooky or not? Some Choa Chu Kang residents say community garden resembles cemetery
- Explosion in Union Pacific’s massive railyard in Nebraska appears accidental, investigators say
- Am I allowed to write a letter of recommendation for a co-worker? Ask HR
- Argentina’s former detention and torture site added to UNESCO World Heritage list
- North Carolina justices rule for restaurants in COVID
- The video game industry is in uproar over a software pricing change. Here's why
- Why Demi Lovato Feels the Most Confident When She's Having Sex
- Census Bureau wants to test asking about sexual orientation and gender identity on biggest survey
- How to watch the 'Blue Bloods' Season 14 finale: Final episode premiere date, cast
- Black high school student suspended in Texas because of dreadlocks
Ranking
- McConnell absent from Senate on Thursday as he recovers from fall in Capitol
- Amazon delivery driver in 'serious' condition after rattlesnake attack in Florida
- Vanna White Officially Extends Wheel of Fortune Contract
- At new mental health courts in California, judges will be able to mandate treatment
- Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
- Chick-fil-A plans UK expansion after previously facing backlash from LGBTQ rights activists
- Apple is moving to USB-C power cords. What you can do with the old Lightning cables.
- Census Bureau wants to test asking about sexual orientation and gender identity on biggest survey
Recommendation
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow owns a $3 million Batmobile Tumbler
Thousands of mink let loose from fur farm in Pennsylvania
What will Federal Reserve do next? Any hint of future rate hikes will be key focus of latest meeting
Second teenager arrested in video recorded hit-run crash of ex-California police chief in Las Vegas
Selena Gomez's "Weird Uncles" Steve Martin and Martin Short React to Her Engagement
'The bad stuff don't last': Leslie Jones juggles jokes, hardships in inspiring new memoir
XFL, USFL in 'advanced talks' on merging leagues, per reports
AP PHOTOS: Traditional autumn fair brings color and joy into everyday lives of Romania’s poor