Three girls who were killed in a deadly knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club have been named by police, as families paid tribute to their “little girl” and “princess”.
Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, were all fatally stabbed in the incident in Southport, Merseyside, on Monday.
A 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, remains in custody accused of murder and attempted murder following the incident at the dance studio in Hart Street.
Eight other children suffered stab wounds and five are in a critical condition, alongside two adults who were also critically injured, police said.
Churchtown Primary in Southport said Alice was a pupil at the school and Bebe was a former pupil.
A spokeswoman said one of the critically injured adults is a current staff member and one is a former member of staff who is still closely associated with the school.
In a statement, Bebe’s family said: “No words can describe the devastation that has hit our family as we try to deal with the loss of our little girl Bebe.”
Alice’s family also paid tribute to their “princess”.
They said: “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.”
Merseyside Police said all three families are being supported by specialist officers.
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 stabbings have said.
US singer Swift said she is “completely in shock” after the “horror” of the knife attack.
Fans of the pop star had raised more than £103,000 by Tuesday afternoon via their Swifties for Southport online fundraiser.
Headteacher of Churchtown Primary Jinnie Payne, the school where Alice was a year 4 pupil and a former school of Bebe, also paid tribute to the victims.
Ms Payne said: “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.”
She added: “Bebe was a joyful girl, whose kindness radiated through the entire Churchtown community.
“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.”
Tributes have been paid on social media to the bravery of dance and yoga teacher Leanne Lucas after she was attacked in the incident.
Ms Lucas was named as an organiser of the event run by Southport-based business Enlighten in a post on Facebook.
In a statement released on social media on Tuesday, Swift said: “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 the 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.”
Police said a name shared on social media in connection with the suspect is “incorrect”, adding: “We would urge people not to speculate on details of the incident while the investigation is ongoing.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer visited the seaside town on Tuesday and thanked emergency service workers, 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 laid down his wreath and stood momentarily in silence, but more than one person shouted: “How many more Starmer? When are you going to do something?”
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper updated MPs on the attack in the House of Commons on Tuesday evening, when she described it as an “unspeakable tragedy”.
She told the Commons: “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.”
Police have said that, although the motive for the attack is unclear, it is not believed to be terror-related.
Ms Cooper said Merseyside Police is leading an “extremely serious criminal investigation”, telling MPs the force is “being supported by counter-terrorism police.”
The force 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.
Seven children were taken to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital following the stabbing, the NHS trust said.
In a statement, the trust said: “Sadly, despite all our efforts one child has since died. The remaining children are continuing to receive treatment with two remaining in critical care but currently in a stable condition.”
A major incident was declared at the hospital following the attack on Monday, but it was stepped down on the same day.
Sefton Council said it was supporting a vigil for the victims, which will be held outside the Atkinson arts venue on Lord Street at 6pm.
