A 17-year-old individual has been accused of murdering three girls at a dance class in Southport, Merseyside. The incident, which happened in Hart Space centre, was for primary school children aged six to ten and featured a Taylor Swift theme. Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, were brought to the hospital in critical condition, but they died shortly after. The accused will appear in Liverpool City Magistrates’ Court on Thursday and is also charged with 10 counts of attempted murder in addition to being in possession of a bladed article.
Many children and adults present at the event were injured, with some still in critical condition. According to Ursula Doyle, deputy chief crown prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service Mersey-Cheshire, anyone observing the defendant should remember that criminal proceedings against the individual are ongoing, and he has a right to a fair trial. Doyle said that there should be no reporting, commentary, or sharing of information online, which would in any way dictate the proceedings and prejudice them. Doyle added that her thoughts are with the affected individuals’ families, and these events were harrowing.
Chief Constable of Merseyside Police Serena Kennedy said that even if the accused has been charged with significant milestones in the investigation, this is still an active investigation. Together with Lancashire Police and counter-terrorism police, Merseyside Police continues to work on this case. While this dreadful event was unfolding, some protesters in Southport attacked a mosque. Due to the violence in the town, many police officers were injured in a “sustained and vicious attack”. It is estimated that over 100 people were arrested in a protest near London following the Southport incident.
The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, sent his condolences to the families of the slain girls and stated his support for Merseyside Police’s efforts to address the protests’ violence. The government pledged to help the families affected and provide support to local law enforcement officers hurt during the unrest
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