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A third girl has died after a “ferocious” knife attack at a dance studio on Merseyside in which two others were killed.
The nine-year-old girl died in hospital early on Tuesday morning after the stabbing on Hart Street in Southport on Monday. Five children and two adults remain in a critical condition.
Merseyside Police said the other two children who died were aged six and seven following the attack at the Taylor Swift themed event.
A 17-year-old boy, from Banks in Lancashire, who was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder, remains in police custody, the force said.
A police spokesman said a name shared online in connection with the suspect was “incorrect” and urged people “not to speculate on details of the incident while the investigation is ongoing”.
Specialist officers were supporting the families involved “at this terrible time”.
The force said it was not looking for anyone else in connection to the attack, which it added was not being “treated as terror-related”.
The BBC can report that the boy, whose parents are from Rwanda, was born in Cardiff and moved to the Southport area in 2013.
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The fully-booked club for children, which was advertised as a dance and yoga workshop as well as bracelet-making, quickly became something “like a horror movie”, witnesses have said.
Armed response vehicles were deployed to Hart Street after emergency calls were made to police at 11:47 BST.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing screams and seeing several young children severely injured.
One person told the BBC it was the “worst thing I’ve seen in my life”.
‘Shine bright little ones’
A vigil has been planned for 18:00 BST outside the Atkinson building in Southport.
Local residents have left flowers, cards and teddies by the police cordon close to the scene.
Churches have opened to give people a place to gather and several shops and pubs have closed as a mark of respect.
Southport FC have cancelled their pre-season friendly against Morecambe FC “out of respect” for those killed and affected by the attack.
In a statement on social media, Southport FC said the club lounge would be open to the community and “specialist support staff will be present to offer assistance and comfort”.
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Staff from Natterjacks Day Nursery laid flowers and a heart-shaped artwork, decorated with children’s handprints.
A message said: “The brightest stars are now dancing with the angels in heaven.
“Shine bright little ones, we will never forget your smiles and laughter.”
In total, 11 patients with stab injuries were treated by the ambulance service and some were taken to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, which declared a major incident.
Two adults were critically injured “bravely” trying to protect the children from the attack, police have said.
Singer Taylor Swift said she was “completely in shock” after the “horror” of the knife attack.
Her fans have raised more than £80,000 for the families of the victims.
King Charles previously paid tribute to “all those affected by this truly appalling attack”, while Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer said his thoughts were “with all those affected” after the “horrendous and deeply shocking” incident.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, who laid flowers at the police cordon and met first responders in the town earlier, is expected to make a statement about the attack in the House of Commons.
