17-year-old charged with murder of three girls in Southport attack
A 17-year-old has been charged with the murder of three young girls at a dance class in Southport. Bebe King, aged six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar were killed in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed event in the Merseyside town on Monday.
The teenager, who will appear at Liverpool City Magistrates’ Court later on Thursday, faces additional charges of 10 counts of attempted murder. Eight other children and two adults who were present at the Hart Space Center were injured, with some reportedly in critical condition.
Due to the defendant’s age, his identity remains undisclosed. He is also charged with possession of a bladed article. Merseyside Police announced the charges during a press conference just after midnight.
Ursula Doyle, deputy chief crown prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service Mersey-Cheshire, stated: “We remind everyone that criminal proceedings are ongoing and the defendant is entitled to a fair trial. There must be no reporting, commentary, or online sharing of information that could prejudice these proceedings. Our thoughts are with the families affected by these tragic events.”
Chief Constable Serena Kennedy of Merseyside Police added: “Although these charges mark a significant step in the investigation, it remains active. We continue to collaborate with Lancashire Police and counter-terrorism authorities in the North West.”
The Taylor Swift-themed summer holiday dance class on Hart Street in Southport was being held for primary school children aged six to 10.
Police were called to reports of a stabbing there just before 11:50 BST on Monday.
When officers arrived, they found that multiple people, many of whom were children, had been subjected to a “ferocious attack” and had suffered serious injuries, Ms Kennedy said.
Police believe a person armed with a knife walked into the building and attacked those inside.
Two adults were critically injured “bravely” trying to protect the children from the attack, police said.
In a tribute issued through police, Bebe’s family said: “No words can describe the devastation that has hit our family as we try to deal with the loss of our little girl Bebe.”
Meanwhile, the family of Alice said: “Keep smiling and dancing like you love to do our Princess, like we said before to you, you’re always our princess and no one would change that. Love from Your Hero Daddy and Mummy.”
Separately, more than 100 people were arrested in a protest in central London on Wednesday night following the deaths in Southport, the Metropolitan Police said.
The Met said it made arrests for a range of offenses including violent disorder, assault on an emergency worker, and breach of protest conditions on Wednesday evening.
It followed separate unrest in Southport on Tuesday, which came hours after a peaceful vigil was attended by thousands to remember the girls who died.
A large group of protesters attacked the front of a mosque, throwing bricks, bottles, fireworks, and rocks, while police officers used riot shields to defend themselves as wheelie bins were hurled towards them.
A police vehicle was also set on fire.
Merseyside Police said more than 50 police officers were hurt in a “sustained and vicious attack”. The force said the violence was believed to have involved English Defence League supporters.
In a message widely shared on social media, Elsie’s mother Jenni Stancombe condemned the violence.
“This is the only thing that I will write, but please stop the violence in Southport tonight,” she wrote.
“The police have been nothing but heroic these last 24 hours and we don’t need this.”
Several officers were also injured in separate disorder in Hartlepool on Wednesday, Cleveland Police said, after violence broke out in the town.
