Three girls died yesterday after being stabbed during a Taylor Swift-inspired dance and yoga themed party in Southport, north-west England. The three victims were aged 6, 7 and 9. The 9-year-old girl died in hospital from her injuries. Eight children and two adults remain in hospital. Both adults, and five of those children, are in a serious condition.
A 17-year-old boy has been arrested as the alleged perpetrator of the attack. He is charged with murder and attempted murder. According to police, the suspect has been “incorrectly” identified on social media, with many users linking the crime to an Islamist attack.
Far-right protesters have used this false information as an excuse to bring “violence and disorder” to the streets of Southport today, engaging in clashes with the police. This happened during a peaceful vigil in memory of the victims of the terrible attack. The protesters, according to local media, have thrown bricks at local mosques, set cars on fire and used physical violence.
Police have also reported that many of the people involved in the altercation are not locals, so they have had to travel to Southport to join in the destruction. The internet has been filled with videos of the events, with one particularly going viral. In the clip, one of the extremists is hit in the crotch with a rock.
Swift posted a message on social media expressing her “shock” at the tragedy. “I can’t stop thinking about the horror of yesterday’s attack in Southport and I am completely in shock. The loss of life and innocence, the horrific trauma inflicted on everyone who was there, on the families and on the emergency professionals. They were just little girls in a dance class. I have no words to express my condolences to these families.” Later, it was revealed that two of the singer’s fans have launched a fundraiser to help the families affected by the tragedy.
Rioters just set an industrial wheelie bin alight and rammed it at police riot shields. Officers charged back but then retired. pic.twitter.com/ParTbxrTES
— Josh Halliday (@JoshHalliday) July 30, 2024
Sorry but this is the funniest fash riot scene you’ll see, bar none. Hall of Famer. pic.twitter.com/WlKCPWDzSm
— Tim Brannigan (@tim_brannigan) July 30, 2024