News
Taylor Swift ‘completely in shock’ as she pays tribute to Southport attack victims
"These were just little kids at a dance class."
Emily Sergeant -
30th July 2024 
Taylor Swift says she’s been left “completely in shock” following the attack which took place in Southport yesterday.
The US singer-songwriter has paid tribute to the victims on her social media.
Swift – who is set to return to the UK again next month for the final leg of her ongoing ‘Eras Tour’ – has taken to her Instagram Stories this morning (30 July) to post a heartbreaking statement, and offer her support to the families and wider community affected by the tragedy.
The 34-year-old’s statement reads: “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.”
Swift’s statement comes after two young children sadly lost their lives as a result of injuries sustained in a knife attack in the Merseyside seaside town of Southport yesterday morning (29 July).
Nine other children were injured, and six of them are in a critical condition – with all those injured having suffered stab wounds.
Two adults are also in a critical condition after being injured during the incident.
Officers from Merseyside Police were called to reports of a stabbing at 11:47am at an address in Southport, later confirmed as being The Hart Space on Hart Street, and when they arrived on the scene, they were shocked to find that multiple people, many of whom were children, had been subjected to what police described as a “ferocious attack”.
Earlier we held a press conference following the incident that took place in Southport this morning.
— Merseyside Police (@MerseyPolice) July 29, 2024
Please watch to hear from Chief Constable Serena Kennedy, MFRS Chief Fire Officer Phil Garrigan and NWAS Cheshire and Merseyside Head of Service Dave Kitchin.
To read more,… pic.twitter.com/edfwk50BEs
It is understood the children were attending a Taylor Swift-themed event at a dance school when the offender – who was armed with a knife – walked into the premises and started to attack those who were inside.
Merseyside Police’s Chief Constable, Serena Kennedy, says the force believes that the adults who were injured were “trying to protect the children” at the time they were attacked.
A 17-year-old male from Banks in Lancashire, who was born in Cardiff, has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.
Read more:
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- GMP still appealing for witnesses to Manchester Airport incidents
- Taylor Swift announces UK and European dates of ‘Eras Tour’
He has been taken to a police station to be interviewed by detectives.
Featured Image – Paolo V (via Flickr)
