Pop star Taylor Swift, shared a message on her Instagram stories after two children were killed in a stabbing incident during a dance and yoga class in Southport, England, on Monday.
According to reports, the children died during a Taylor Swift-themed yoga and dance class at the town’s Hart Place. The event was advertised for kids between the ages of six and 11.
Confirming the deaths, police in the area said eight other children were injured and five were in “critical condition.” Two adults were also reported to have been injured in the attack.
Responding to the incident, The Anti-Hero 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,” she added.
Related stories
A police statement said authorities responded to a property on Hart Street around 11:50 a.m. and detained a male and seized a knife.”
They confirmed that a 17-year-old, originally from Cardiff, was arrested in connection with the stabbing and was taken into custody on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.
“At this early stage, inquiries 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,” the statement noted.
The police believed that the adults who were injured “were bravely trying to protect the children who were being attacked.”
Police in the area confirmed that a third child (a 9-year-old girl) had died shortly after Taylor Swift’s statement. The girl reportedly died in the early hours of Tuesday.
A fortnight ago, Taylor Swift herself could have been in danger when a suspected stalker was arrested by police as the singer performed at one of her recent shows in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, on Wednesday, July 17, 2024.
An unidentified American man, who was said to have had a ticket for the show, was taken into custody outside the venue after police became aware of his alleged threats against the award-winning performer.
According to reports, the man had made threats against the singer and her partner, Travis Kelce. Organizers had, therefore, tipped off authorities about the alleged stalker’s behavior online.
