A 17 year old teenager is facing charges for the killing of three girls during a dance class in Southport:
Six year old Bebe King, seven year old Elsie Dot Stancombe, and nine year old Alice Dasilva Aguiar were killed during a knife attack at a Taylor Swift themed event in Merseyside town on Monday.
The adolescent scheduled to appear in Liverpool City Magistrates‘ Court later today, is also facing accusations of 10 counts of attempted murder.
Eight more kids and two grown ups who were present at the gathering in the Hart Space center suffered injuries, with some still reported to be in critical condition.
The accused who is not identified due to being underage has also been accused of having a bladed weapon.
Merseyside Police disclosed the charges at a press briefing shortly after midnight.
Ursula Doyle, deputy chief crown prosecutor at the Crown Prosecution Service Mersey-Cheshire, emphasized that the defendant is currently facing criminal charges and has the right to a fair trial.
There must be no sharing of information online that could bias these proceedings.
Our thoughts continue to be with the families of everyone impacted by these traumatic events.
According to Serena Kennedy, Chief Constable of Merseyside Police these charges are an important step in the investigation, which is ongoing with collaboration from Lancashire Police and counter-terrorism police in the North West.
17 year old accused of three murders following Southport assault
The summer dance class for primary school children aged six to 10 was taking place on Hart Street in Southport.
Police were alerted to a stabbing incident just before 11:50 BST on Monday.
When the officers got there, they discovered several individuals, including many children, had experienced a “violent assault” causing severe injuries, according to Ms. Kennedy.
Authorities suspect that an individual carrying a knife entered the premises and assaulted the occupants.
Police stated that two adults were severely injured while courageously attempting to shield the children from the attack of 17 year old girl.
Bebe’s family, speaking through the polic, stated that they are struggling to cope with the loss of their daughter Bebe and the devastation it has caused.
In the meantime, Alice’s family expressed: “Continue to smile and dance as you enjoy doing, our Princess. As we have previously told you, you will always be our princess and nobody can alter that. Affection from Your Hero Father and Mother.
The town of Southport is stunned by the attack.
In a demonstration in central London on Wednesday night the Metropolitan Police reported that over 100 individuals were taken into custody in relation to the fatalities in Southport.
The Met reported that it conducted arrests for various crimes such as violent disorder assault on emergency workers and breach of protest conditions on Wednesday evening.
It occurred after disturbances in Southport on Tuesday, following a peaceful gathering attended by thousands in memory of the deceased girls.
A massive crowd of demonstrators assailed the entrance of a mosque by hurling bricks, bottles, fireworks, and rocks. In response, police officers defended themselves with riot shields as they faced wheelie bins being thrown at them.
A police car was ignited as well.
Merseyside Police reported over 50 police officers sustained injuries in a prolonged and brutal assault. The violence was reportedly associated with English Defence League supporters, according to the police.
It stated that the individuals responsible for the violence were influenced by misinformation on social media connecting Monday’s stabbing to Islam.
Jenni Stancombe, Elsie’s mother, expressed disapproval of the violence in a widely circulated social media post.
She wrote that this is the only thing she will write, and asked for the violence in Southport to cease tonight.
The police have truly been heroic in the past day and we do not want or need this.
Cleveland Police stated that multiple officers were harmed in a different disturbance in Hartlepool on Wednesday after a violent incident occurred in the town.
Disorder was also noted in Manchester and Aldershot. There have been no arrests.
After the events, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will have a meeting with senior policing officials at Downing Street on Thursday.
The prime minister’s office for media communication stated the meeting will provide the government’s complete support after several well known incidents of severe violence and public chaos in our communities.
It was stated that he will mention that the alarming incidents in Southport this week highlight the courage of our emergency service workers and the crucial work they do to ensure public safety.
Although it is important to protect the right to peaceful protest, it is also important to make sure that criminals who misuse this right to incite hatred and violence will be fully prosecuted.
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