Heartbroken mourners have tonight gathered for a vigil to remember the three young girls who were killed in the Southport rampage on Monday.
The three girls stabbed to death were today named by police as six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar.
They were among 11 children stabbed during a ‘ferocious’ knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed yoga and dance workshop in Southport on Monday lunchtime.
Five further children, aged between six and 11, are in a critical condition alongside two female adults, among them hero yoga teacher Leanne Lucas, who ‘bravely tried to protect them’.
In the first week of the summer holidays, the seaside town should be bustling with happy families and tourists.
But at 6pm on Tuesday, distraught Southport families gathered outside the Atkinson where there was an outpouring of grief and shock in the wake of the tragedy.
Floral tributes and cuddly toys were laid next to a fountain outside the building, while a minute’s silence was held as parents – many in tears – held their children tightly.
One heartbreaking poster surrounded by candles and flowers said ‘Never stop dancing’. The children had been enjoying a summer holiday dance workshop when a knifeman entered the studio and launched a frenzied attack.
Among the bouquets, there were also a number of Taylor Swift-style friendship bracelets. ‘Thinking of you all,’ a row of four of them spelt out.
Martin Abrams, the chaplain of Southport hospital who was leading the vigil, told the crowd: ‘Tonight is about standing in solidarity during these tragic events. We stand together and we weep together.’
Ahead of the vigil, the families and schools of the innocent girls who were fatally attacked by a crazed knifeman also released tributes.
In a statement, Bebe’s family said: ‘No words can describe the devastation that has hit our family as try to deal with the loss of our little girl Bebe.’
The family of Alice Dasilva Aguiar added: ‘Keep smiling and dancing like you love to do our Princess, like we said before to you, you’re always our princess and no one would change that. Love from Your Hero Daddy and Mummy.’
And the headteacher of Farnborough Road Infant School said they were ‘heartbroken and devastated’ by the death of pupil Elsie.
Jennifer Sephton said: ‘Elsie has been a loving and bright member of our wonderful community since first being brought here on her father’s shoulders, and even at her early age she was such a caring and charismatic young lady who loved to please.
‘Elsie was a kind and caring friend to all who met her and was adored by everyone in our community. Our hearts and most deeply-felt sympathies go out to Elsie’s family, friends and our Farnborough community who have been left numb by what has happened.
‘It is immensely difficult to put into words how amazing Elsie was and the impact she had on those around her. We will miss you dearly Elsie. You were one of a kind.’
A 17-year-old boy remains in custody accused of murder and attempted murder and is being questioned following the incident in Southport, Merseyside.
Heartbroken mourners have gathered for a vigil to remember the victims of the Southport knife rampage
Six-year-old Bebe King was pronounced dead shortly after the attack in Southport on Monday
Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, was also confirmed to have died on Monday as nine other children and two adult women were rushed to hospital
Another of the children killed in the horror Southport stabbing attack was today named as Alice Aguiar, nine
Devastated Southport families attend a vigil outside the Atkinson venue in central Southport which is being held for the child victims of a knife attack
Parents hugged their children tightly as they paid their respects to those lost in the tragedy
Floral tributes, cuddly toys and balloons were left at the heartbreaking vigil in Southport
Members of the public take part in a vigil near to the scene in Hart Street, where the tragedy unfolded
Crowds of mourners left flowers as they tried to take in the horror that unfolded
Members of the public take part in a vigil near to the scene in Hart Street, Southport, to remember the three girls who lost their lives
There was an outpouring of grief and emotion at the vigil held 24 hours after the tragedy
Heartbreaking floral tributes and teddy bears were left at the scene of the attack on Tuesday afternoon
A tribute to ‘the lost angels’ sits alongside a fluffy teddy bear in a heartbreaking message for the little children
Alder Hey Children’s hospital this afternoon released a statement confirming that seven children had been taken to the site for treatment. One of those was Alice, and of the others, two remain in a critical condition, a spokesperson said.
The head of the school trust attended by Alice and Bebe said the girls ‘will be in our hearts forever’.
Endeavour Learning Trust chief executive David Clayton said ‘no words can do justice to what has happened here in Southport.
The trust contains Churchtown Primary School in Southport, which Alice and Bebe had both attended.
Churchtown Primary headteacher Jinnie Payne said the school had heard the ‘tragic news’ with ‘great sadness’, describing the stabbings as an ‘atrocity’.
In a statement, Mr Clayton said: ‘No words can do justice to what has happened here in Southport – and our hearts are broken for the families who have lost their children.
‘No one should ever have to experience horror like this.
‘Our immediate focus now is on providing support to the community as we start to understand what has happened. The death of a child is always a desperate tragedy for a school, and particularly so under such circumstances.
‘We will come together as a community, offering each other support and care as we work through this difficult time.
‘Alice and Bebe will be in our hearts forever.’
Ms Payne said Alice, a Year 4 pupil at Churchtown, was the ‘happiest of souls, a true ray of sunshine’.
The Churchtown Primary headteacher added: ‘She was known and loved by everyone in our school community of 700 children, a testament to her unique ability to connect with others.
‘Alice’s radiant smile brightened our days, and she embraced every aspect of school life with enthusiasm and joy.
‘Her kindness, playful nature, and zest for trying new things will forever be remembered. Alice, you will always hold a special place in our hearts at Churchtown.’
Ms Payne said Bebe, a former pupil at the school, was a ‘joyful girl’ whose ‘kindness radiated through the entire Churchtown community’.
The headteacher added: ‘During her time at the school, Bebe’s considerate nature and her love of learning shone through in everything that she did.
‘Each day, she would come into school ready to grasp every opportunity available to her and fun and laughter were never far away whenever Bebe was involved.
‘Her considerate nature meant that she had many friends and she always ensured all children felt included, whether that was through play or working together in the classroom.
‘Bebe’s memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.’
Emotional members of the public react at the vigil for the three young girls who died in Southport
There was a visible outpouring of grief as families paid tribute to those caught up in the violence
A local dignitary places a floral tribute near to the scene in Hart Street, Southport
A heartbreaking poster surrounded by candles and flowers said ‘Never stop dancing’
Flowers lie on the ground as people attend a vigil for the victims of the knife attack
Pink balloons and flowers are left for the three girls who tragically lost their lives
Many were in tears as they left candles and flowers at the fountain
The horrific knife attack has sent shockwaves through the whole country
Martin Abrams, the Spiritual Care and Chaplaincy Lead at Southport and Ormskirk Hospitals, speaks during a vigil
Friends console one another at the vigil in Southport, Merseyside, on Tuesday
Members of the public take part in a vigil near to the scene in Hart Street, Southport,
The headteacher added: ‘We know that a number of other children from Churchtown were also involved in the attack, along with much-loved colleagues.
‘We extend our heartfelt wishes to all those families affected by this horrific incident, including those currently in hospital or continuing to receive treatment.’
Devastated relatives of Alice said she had been taken by a ‘despicable human being.’
Her mother Alexandra Aguiar is understood to be originally from Caracas in Venezuela and her dad David Aguiar is from the Portuguese island of Madeira.
Relative Carina Aguiar, a hotel worker who lives in Camara de Lobos in Madeira, posted a link on her social media to news Merseyside Police had confirmed a third child’ had died following the attack and wrote tear emojis beside it.
Earlier she posted a photo of a black ribbon on her Facebook alongside Alice’s name after writing in an emotional tribute: ‘Princess Alice. In this moment of great pain my soul hurts, my body hurts, my mind hurts. I have a lump in my throat.
‘You were just an innocent child, a happy smiley girl with a bright life ahead of you which a despicable human being took away from you, without pity, for no reason.’
Firefighters from Merseyside joined members of the public in paying tribute to those killed and injured in the stabbings
Forensic officers were seen at the scene in Southport on Tuesday as investigations begin
Floral tributes pile up by the side of the road as locals flock to share their sympathy after the tragedy
Floral tributes near the scene in Hart Street, Southport, where two children died and nine were injured in a ‘ferocious’ knife attack
Liliana Soares wrote: ‘What a huge tragedy. My pretty and innocent angel. Such tremendous pain. My sincerest condolences Carina to the whole family.’
Another family friend, Henrique Drummond, wrote on social media in a direct message to Alice’s parents: ‘David Aguiar, Alexandra Aguiar. Life is so cruel that an animal takes the life of children, especially our Alice. Lots of strength in these extremely difficult moments.’
Father John Heneghan, who led Alice Aguir’s first communion service, described her as a ‘beautiful girl from a lovely family’ – adding that they had only been to mass on Sunday morning, 24 hours before the tragedy.
Describing Alice at her First Communion, Fr Heneghan, parish priest at St Patrick’s for eight years, said he remembered ‘little Alice’ having the most beautiful smile, a radiant smile, if you’d say the epitome of happiness that day, she was it.’
‘We can’t make sense of it,’ he added.
Portuguese Foreign Ministry sources confirmed today a Portuguese girl had died.
One said: ‘Portugal’s Consul General in Manchester is assisting the family, having spoken to her parents, and is continuing to offer them all the support they need.’
Police say they are not looking for anyone else and do not believe the incident is terrorism related.
Brave Leanne Lucas, 35, (pictured) who organised the Taylor Swift-themed workshop, suffered stab injuries after the man entered the venue through the unlocked door, which was left open amid the scorching heat
The local teacher saved 16 children as the 25-strong class aged between six and 11, while nine children were taken to hospital. One has since died, with five still in a critical condition
She organised the dance, yoga and bracelet making workshop in Southport with Heidi Barlow, also 35, a fellow dance teacher, (pictured) who advertised the event as being for ‘Swifties’
The attack happened at a Taylor Swift-themed workshop on Hart Street in Southport. Police later swooped on a property in Banks, five miles away
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer visited Southport this afternoon and thanked emergency service workers who responded to the knife attack, telling them: ‘I hope you feel proud of the part that you played in the most difficult circumstances, to do what you could for those young lives.’
He added: ‘It is sometimes really important in life just to come and say a simple thank you to all of you, so let me do that, on behalf of myself, on behalf of the government, on behalf of the country – thank you.’
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 to the deadly stabbings have said.
Locals said the alleged knifeman arrived at the dance studio wearing a black hooded top and facemask in a taxi and got out without paying.
They said the suspect then walked into the studio through a front door that was unlocked for fire safety reasons.
Emergency services said the scene was ‘horrific’ and ‘chaotic’ as they arrived at the children’s club.
Police said the suspect, who was born in Cardiff, is from the village of Banks, just outside Southport, and a road in the area was cordoned off by detectives on Monday afternoon.
All the casualties are being treated in hospital, including children’s hospitals in Liverpool and Manchester.
The attack happened at a Taylor Swift themed yoga and dance workshop
Taylor Swift said she is ‘completely in shock’ after the ‘horror’ of the Southport knife attack
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and Southport MP Patrick Hurley embrace as they pay tribute to those injured and killed in the horror attack
At the scene today, flowers and teddies were left by the police cordon. One message in a ‘Thinking Of You’ card said ‘thoughts and prayers’ are with those affected and was signed: ‘Love – Southport.’ Another said: ‘Fly high with angels little ones.’
In a social media post, Taylor Swift shared her horror at the ‘loss of life and innocence’ at the workshop.
She wrote: ‘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.’
A JustGiving page – set up by Taylor Swift fans – has already raised more than £100,000 to help families affected by the tragedy and pay for the two funerals, with more than 6,500 donations.
Sir Keir Starmer today opened Cabinet by acknowledging the ‘truly horrific’ event in Southport.
‘He said the thoughts of the whole Cabinet and the entire country would be with those who were attacked and their families who are going through an unimaginable ordeal,’ the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said.
‘He added that it was hard to find words to express what the grieving families and community must be going through.’
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper visited the town to lay flowers at the police cordon on Hart Street in Southport this morning.
Ms Cooper, Southport MP Patrick Hurley, Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service’s Chief Fire Officer Phil Garrigan and Merseyside police and crime commissioner Emily Spurrell walked to the cordon together, each holding a bouquet of flowers.
Ms Cooper described the stabbing in Southport as an ‘unspeakable tragedy’.
In a House of Commons statement, she told MPs: ‘It’s difficult to comprehend or to put into words the horror of what happened.
‘These were young children, dancing to Taylor Swift and celebrating the start of the school holidays.
‘What should have been a joyful start to the summer turned into an unspeakable tragedy.
‘Three young children have lost their lives – Bebe King, age six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, age seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, aged nine.’
Ms Cooper also read a tribute by Alice’s family: ‘Keep smiling and dancing like you love to do, our princess.’
A crew from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service also paid tribute. About a dozen firefighters walked together to the cordon on Hart Street and laid flowers, with a message to say they were ‘thinking of everyone involved’.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper pays tribute to the child victims of the horror knife attack
An aerial view of Hart Street, where a horrifying knife attack took place just before midday
Emergency crews and forensic teams descended on the scene after 13 people were stabbed
The Home Secretary stood for a few moments looking at the tributes before laying her flowers and reading some of the messages left by others.
She and Mr Hurley hugged. She is understood to have met with first responders in the town earlier.
Speaking to the media today, Southport MP Patrick Hurley said: ‘The town is in mourning, the town is in shock this morning. The incident that took place yesterday was uniquely horrific.
‘Southport’s a quiet seaside, coastal town. This has just sent shockwaves through the whole community.
‘It’s a very small town, Southport, and a lot of families across the area will be impacted directly.
‘I think at this stage we need to just reach out, make sure that there’s a level of community healing going on and make sure we give voice to the solidarity that people need right now.’
Police screens up at the scene of the tragic stabbing incident in Hart Street in Southport
Southport locals have also rushed to leave their kind words, with one saying their ‘thoughts and prayers are with you’
Alongside the bouquets of flowers are stuffed toys for the children, including a panda and a rabbit
Chief Constable Serena Kennedy, of Merseyside Police, said those injured had all suffered stab wounds in the ‘ferocious attack’.
She added: ‘We believe that the adults who were injured were bravely trying to protect the children who were being attacked.
‘As a mum and a nana, I can’t begin to imagine the pain and suffering that the families of the victims are going through at this moment in time.
‘I wish to send my heartfelt condolences to them.’
Brave Leanne Lucas, 35, who organised the yoga and bracelet making class is among the adult victims fighting for her life in hospital.
The primary school supply teacher – who now teaches children’s yoga workshops – suffered stab injuries after a man entered the venue through the unlocked door, which was left open amid the scorching heat, and started attacking children.
Ms Lucas and her co-organiser and dance teacher Heidi Barlow, also 35, saved 16 children as the 25-strong class aged between six and 11.
Ms Barlow was also injured in the attack, although not seriously, MailOnline understands.
Two female adults were rushed to hospital after police say they ‘bravely tried to protect them’ from the attack at the Hart Space Studios on Hart Street.
Ms Lucas, who’s also a qualified primary school teacher, is the owner and founder of Enlighten, planned the two-hour session to coincide with the start of the school holidays.
Floral tributes near the scene in Hart Street, Southport, where two children died and nine were injured in a ‘ferocious’ knife attack
A person leaves flowers near the scene in Hart Street, Southport, where the event took place
Police officers near the scene in Hart Street, Southport, this morning following the stabbing yesterday
She was hailed today by relatives who paid tribute to her bravery and love for her students.
Pauline Bennett, 64, said: ‘She’s only tiny, she wouldn’t have stood a chance against a man with a knife, but she just wanted to protect those children.
‘I can’t imagine what she would have been thinking when he came through the door. It all happened so quickly, she just did what she could.
‘Her sister stayed at her bedside all night and her parents are with her now. We’re just hoping and praying that she’s going to be ok.
‘Leanne loves teaching children, it’s all she’s ever wanted to do. She just loves children.
‘It’s just heartbreaking that someone could do something like this.’
A former school friend said: ‘To my knowledge she organised it, she used to be a primary school teacher at a local school.
Ms Lucas – who taught in China and Dubai before the Covid pandemic hit – is a big fan of Taylor Swift, her aunt said.
A little girl is helped as she takes flowers to leave with the line of floral tributes
North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) sent 13 ambulances, specialised resources of its Hazardous Area Response Team, Air Ambulance and Merit Doctors to the scene
Emergency services rushed to the scene after reports of a stabbing spree
‘Then she came home in Covid and now this happens. She went to the Taylor Swift concert and she got a big poster of her for the kids.’
Posting a photo of Ms Lucas on Facebook, Sunshine Yoga wrote: ‘I’m absolutely devastated. Please please pray for Leanne.
‘Leanne came on my training course in December. A beautiful young creative girl who was so passionate about helping children.
‘I just can’t believe it. Please pray.’
Others described the news as ‘devastating’ and ‘heartbreaking’.
One Facebook user wrote: ‘I’m in shock. Thinking of you Leanne and everyone involved, love and prayers go out to you all.’
Another added: ‘Thank you for your bravery in defending your class. I pray you get to see how proud the whole town is of your actions today.’
According to Leanne’s Facebook page, she had only recently returned to the UK after a holiday in Italy that included a trip to Venice and the Dolomite Mountains.
Ms Barlow was a dance teacher at Southport Dance Academy, where she had recently taken time off to have a baby girl.
Wishing her luck last year, the school said: ‘We are sending you lots of love and hope you are enjoying all the quality time together.’
Reacting to the tragic news today, the academy posted on Instagram: ‘Thoughts and prayers for everyone affected by today’s shocking events. Southport together.’
Photos from her social media show her celebrating marriage two years ago and her paying tribute to her ‘gorgeous’ students as her classes were halted over lockdown.
