dpa
London
A 9-year-old girl has become the third child to die after a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club in the United Kingdom.
Merseyside Police said the youngster died in the early hours of Tuesday morning following the deaths of two other girls, aged 6 and 7, in the attack in the north-western English seaside town of Southport on Monday.
A 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, remains in custody accused of murder and attempted murder following the incident at a dance studio. Eight other children suffered stab wounds and five are in a critical condition, alongside two adults who were critically injured, police said.
The fully booked club for children, which was advertised as a dance, bracelet-making and yoga workshop, quickly became something “like a horror movie,” witnesses to the deadly stabbings have said.
US singer Taylor Swift said she is “completely in shock” after the “horror” of the knife attack.
In a statement released on social media on Tuesday, Swift said: “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 the 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.”
Police said a name shared on social media in connection with the suspect is “incorrect,” adding: “We would urge people not to speculate on details of the incident while the investigation is ongoing.”
Tributes have been paid on social media to the bravery of dance and yoga teacher Leanne Lucas after she was attacked in the incident.
Lucas was named as an organizer of the event run by Southport-based business Enlighten in a post on Facebook.
British Home Secretary Yvette Cooper was expected to make a statement on the attacks later on Tuesday in the House of Commons, the lower house of parliament.
She earlier met first responders in the town and laid flowers at the police cordon.
Police have said that, although the motive for the attack is unclear, it is not believed to be terror-related.
At the scene, flowers and teddies have been left close to the police cordon. A message on the artwork said: “The brightest stars are now dancing with the angels in heaven.”
