A third child, a nine-year-old girl, has died following yesterday’s attack on Hart Street in Southport.
At approximately midday, Merseyside Police announced the third fatality resulting from Monday’s attack, while also confirming for the first time that the two victims whose death was announced on Monday were both girls, aged six and seven.
The victim, named online by family members as Alice Aguilar, succumbed to her injuries in hospital in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Eight other children suffered injuries during the attack, and five of those remain in critical condition.
Two adults, including a yoga and dance instructor named locally as Leanne Lucas whose actions have been praised as “heroic” by eyewitnesses, also remain in critical condition.
Officers arrested a 17-year-old male from Banks at the scene, and recovered a knife. The suspect remains in custody as of Tuesday afternoon.
Merseyside Police and Southport MP Patrick Hurley have urged against engaging in online speculation after an incorrect name was attributed to the suspect on social media. The police confirmed in their statement today that the incident is not being treated as terror-related.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper visited the scene of the attack on Tuesday morning to lay flowers, and later met with Patrick Hurley and other community leaders at Southport Football Club.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer and King Charles led tributes from the nation following the tragedy. Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the attack “truly awful” while King charles said he had been left “profoundly shocked”.
Taylor Swift published on Instagram: “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.”
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