A THIRD child has died after a mass stabbing at a dance class in Southport.
The girl, aged nine, died in the early hours of Tuesday morning. She has been named by Merseyside Police as Alice Dasilva Aguiar.
Two other girls, Bebe King and Elsie Dot Stancombe, aged six and seven respectively, died on Monday.
Eight other children suffered stab wounds and five are in a critical condition, alongside two adults who were critically injured, police said.
The attack took place on Monday morning at a community centre called The Hart Space in Southport, Merseyside.
A "Taylor Swift Yoga and Dance Workshop" aimed at children aged between primary school years two and six (seven and 11 years old) was taking place at the time.
It is understood the teacher leading the class was Leanne Lucas, according to the BBC. Her conditon has not been confirmed.
A 17-year-old boy from Banks in Lancashire, who cannot be named for legal reasons, remains in custody accused of murder and attempted murder following the incident.
Police are banned from identifying suspects who have been arrested until they have been charged with an offence in England. If the suspect is under 18, as in this case, they have automatic anonymity which lifts when they turn 18 – unless further restrictions are made – or when a judge orders it.
Police have said the attack is not being treated as terror-related.
On Tuesday morning, Swift issued a statement on the attack to her 283 million followers on Instagram.
The US pop 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.”
A crowdfunding page called Swifties for Southport has raised more than £51,000 for Alder Hey Children's Hospital, where many of the injured have been treated.
The Taylor Swift UK & EU Facebook group organisers said the money would go to the hospital's charity arm.
