Children's Taylor Swift Dance Event Marred by 'Horror Movie' Knife Attack
The U.K. experienced another alarming knife attack on Monday.
As reported by the U.K. Independent, a 17-year-old boy armed with a knife targeted a children's dance class in Southport, England, resulting in injuries to eight individuals, some of whom were children.
According to the BBC, two adults among the victims are in critical condition, and there are indications that one person may have lost their life.
The incident occurred during a Taylor Swift-themed yoga and dance workshop for young children, as noted by the BBC.
Local authorities later clarified on X that the attack was not considered “terror-related.”
UPDATE: A 17-year-old male from #Banks, who was arrested in connection to the stabbing in #Southport today, remains in custody and will be questioned. We can also confirm that the incident is not currently being treated as terror-related. More here: https://t.co/65zkKwWKq2 pic.twitter.com/3Pj8SX8BFd
— Merseyside Police (@MerseyPolice) July 29, 2024
Witnesses provided harrowing accounts of the attack.
One business owner described the scene to the BBC as resembling a “scene in a horror movie.”
“It was horrendous. I’ve never seen anything like it,” a local journalist told the BBC.
The journalist further mentioned: “There were so many police cars, it was a mass of blue lights. I saw ambulance men and women in tears. People were in tears in the streets.”
In the aftermath, the Southport community came together to support one another.
“The community was coming together, everyone was trying to help. Everyone was trying to save the young kids,” one business owner shared with the BBC.
Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell made a statement addressing the incident.
“To hear that innocent, defenceless children have been attacked during a Taylor Swift event at a dance school as they enjoyed the start of the school summer holidays is unthinkable and absolutely abhorrent,” she said according to the BBC.
Spurrell added: “These young people had their whole lives ahead of them and it is hard to find the words to convey our deep sadness.”
In May, the Associated Press reported that knife attacks have been increasing in the U.K. this year.
According to the report, due to the country’s gun ban, knives have become the weapon of choice for many criminals.
The U.K. government data shows that in 2023, “knife-enabled” crime in England and Wales rose by 7 percent, with a staggering 20 percent increase in London.