Taylor Swift has expressed her grief at the murder of three children at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on Monday, saying she is “completely in shock.”
She released her statement on Instagram 24 hours after a stabbing attack in Southport, England. The attack has left three children dead and six children and two adults in critical condition, as per the ABC.
The incident, reportedly the ABC, occurred during the first week of England’s summer school holidays. The victims had gathered at a Swift-themed dance, yoga, and bracelet-making class for children between 6 and 11.
The singer, who is currently on her Eras tour posted on a tile on Instagram stories:
“The horror of yesterday’s attack in Southport is washing over me continually, 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.”
![Taylor Swift's Instagram story post mourning the children killed in Southport in a vicious stabbing reads: The horror of yesterday's attack in Southport is washing over me continously and I'm just completely in shock... The loss of life and innocence , and horrenous 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.](https://www.marieclaire.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/07/taylor-swift-uk-child-stabbings-576x1024.jpg)
On Tuesday, police reported Dot Stancombe, aged 7, Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9 and Bebe King, 6 had died in the attack.
Alice’s family released a statement via the police: “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.”
Bebe’s family said “no words can describe the devastation” they are experiencing in the wake of the attack.
Violence And Racism In Wake Of The Attack:
![Riot police hold back protesters near a burning police vehicle after disorder broke out on July 30, 2024 in Southport, England. Rumours about the identity of the 17-year-old suspect in yesterday's deadly stabbing attack here have sparked a violent protest. According to authorities and media reports, the suspect was born in Cardiff to Rwandan parents, but the person cannot be named due to his age. A false report had circulated online that the suspect was a recent immigrant who crossed the English Channel last week and was "on an MI6 watchlist."](https://www.marieclaire.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/07/taylor-swift-uk-child-stabbings-2-1024x576.jpg)
An individual has been arrested and is in custody. However, as reported by ABC News International ,Chief Constable Goss police have been faced with quelling attacks on a local mosque. Police vehicles were torched, and police sustained injuries trying to “prevent disorder.”
“There has been much speculation and hypothesis around the status of a 17-year-old male who is currently in police custody and some individuals are using this to bring violence and disorder to our streets,” Merseyside Police Assistant Chief Constable Alex Goss said. A suspect’s name has been incorrectly circulated on social media. Police have said the suspect was born in Britain and that rumours he was an asylum seeker were incorrect.
As per ABC News International, the Liverpool Region Mosque Network has posted a statement on X that says: “A minority of people are attempting to portray that this inhumane act is somehow related to the Muslim community. Frankly it is not, and we must not let those who seek to divide us and spread hatred use this as an opportunity.”
Taylor Swift Fans Are Fundraising
![Tributes and candles to the victims of the Southport knife attack continue to be laid near the scene on July 30, 2024 in Southport, England. A teenager armed with a knife attacked children at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club in Hart Lane, Southport yesterday morning. Three children have died and five children and two adults remain in a critical condition in hospital. A 17-year-old boy has been arrested.](https://www.marieclaire.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/07/taylor-swift-uk-child-stabbings-1-1-1024x576.jpg)
Taylor Swift fans have started a crowdfunding page called “Swifties for Southport”, which has raised over $190,000 for the families, Over 2,500 people have donating money so far.
Left horrified by the events, residents of Southport have expressed appreciation for Taylor Swift’s message. “It is so nice to see that she has paid attention and given her support to the families and the victims, especially because it’s happened to young kids and her fans are so young,” a woman named Lisa Ho told the ABC.
Taylor Swift has been performing in the UK as part of her Eras tour. She will return to London’s Wembley stadium with more dates in August.
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