The English seaside city of Southport is mourning the deaths of three girls who were killed in a horrific knife attack while attending a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on Monday, and is praying for the other victims to recover from their serious injuries.
“I can barely speak about it,” resident Kian Wright told the Post.
“This is a nightmare for everyone. This is not a big town and everyone knows someone who has been affected by this. There are a lot of people praying for everyone and everyone is reaching out to each other to make sure they’re OK.
“The whole incident is disgusting and tragic,” Wright added.
Police say those sentiments have been felt across the area 30 minutes north of Liverpool since a 17-year-old suspect stabbed dozens of children and adults attending what was meant to be a fun event.
The boy, who arrived by taxi, also attacked adults who tried to protect the girls.
“Words are difficult to express the horror, anger and heartache that today’s horrific attack has caused us all,” Liverpool Mayor Steve Rotheram said in a statement.
“These were young people with their lives ahead of them. What was meant to be a light-hearted dance class was met with unspeakable evil.”
Police have identified the three girls who died from their injuries: Bebe King, 6, Elsie Dot Stancomb, 7, and Alice DaSilva Aguiar, 9.
Two other people are in serious condition and at least six children and adults are also being treated for injuries.
In the aftermath of this horrific crime, hundreds of people have set up altars made of flowers, photographs, teddy bears and toys.
“There are endless tears in our house,” Sophia Webb said.
“When something like this happens so close to home, there are really no words to describe it. All we can do is cry.”
As the reality of the murdered girls became clear, many Southport residents were left with a range of emotions, with some residents clashing with police after hijacking a peaceful rally attended by hundreds of people.
Twenty-two police officers were injured in the melee, with crowds setting police vehicles on fire and hurling bottles and stones at officers.
Eleven people were taken to hospital, including at least one with a broken nose, authorities said.
But for most Southport residents, this is a time of sadness, not violence.
“Some of these girls don’t know if they’re going to live or die,” Webb said.
“My heart is out there right now. The children and the adults. All the people that are hurting… my heart goes out to them.”
