The knifeman responsible for stabbing to death two young children and injuring several others attending a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport, England on Monday was a minor with a migration background, according to U.K. press reports.
Emergency services were called to Hart Street in the Merseyside town just before 12 p.m. local time following reports of a stabbing spree at a venue known for holding dance and yoga classes for children and new mothers.
Two children were murdered and nine others were stabbed when a hooded man entered the workshop and attacked attendees indiscriminately. Two adults are understood to be in critical condition in hospital after bravely attempting to protect the younger victims.
Images circulating on social media show in graphic detail the injuries of some of the younger victims, some of whom were as young as six.
Merseyside Police confirmed on Monday that a 17-year-old boy had been arrested in relation to the attack, which they stated was not considered to be terror-related.
The boy was described by the mainstream media as living in Banks, a village near Southport, having originally been born in the Welsh capital of Cardiff. He continues to be questioned by police and remains in custody.
The boy cannot be named for legal reasons, however, The Telegraph newspaper reported late on Monday that the suspect is the son of immigrants, having moved to Southport with his Rwandan parents at the age of six.
A name consistent with an Islamic upbringing has been circulated online which Remix News has been unable to verify.
Those at the scene on Monday said it was “like a scene from a horror movie” with local business owner Colin Parry telling PA: “The mothers are coming here now and screaming.”
“I feel sick. It’s literally a few houses down from me,” one local resident said in a voice note that has since gone viral. “There’s a holiday club, a daycare, and someone has just gone in and stabbed all the kids.
“There’s a little girl dead in the road. They’ve gone in and stabbed the kids. Who does that?” she said.
Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool declared a major incident and asked parents not to bring their children to the hospital unless it was urgent, as they were overwhelmed with dealing with the victims.
Condolences flooded in from British politicians and the Royal Family following the attack, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer calling the news “horrendous and deeply shocking.”
A message from His Majesty The King offered the King and Queen’s “heartfelt condolences, prayers, and deepest sympathies to the families” following the “utterly horrific incident.”
