Tragedy Strikes England Dance Class: 2 Children Killed, 11 Injured in Violent Stabbing Rampage

Police reported a tragic attack at a community center in Southport, northwest England, where a 17-year-old boy armed with a knife disrupted a Taylor Swift-themed dance and yoga event for primary school-aged children.

The rampage resulted in the deaths of two children and injuries to 11 others, including nine children and two adults. Six of the wounded children and both adults are currently in critical condition.

The assailant was apprehended and is being charged with murder and attempted murder. Although the motive remains unclear, authorities have stated that the incident is not being treated as terror-related.

The attack occurred during the first week of school vacation, and the event was meant for children aged 6 to 11. The session included activities such as yoga, dance, and bracelet making.

Witnesses recounted horrific scenes as children fled the building, some visibly injured. “They had been stabbed in multiple places,” said Bare Varathan, a nearby shop owner.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the attack as “horrendous and deeply shocking.”

Merseyside Police called it a “major incident” but stated there was no wider threat to the public. Officers arrived shortly after noon to a deeply alarming scene.

Local resident Colin Parry noted that the majority of victims appeared to be young girls, likening the incident to a horror movie. “Mothers are coming here now and screaming,” he described.

The suspect, originally from Cardiff, Wales, lived in a nearby village. He has not been publicly identified at this time.

Ryan Carney, who witnessed the aftermath, described emergency workers carrying bloodied children with visible stab wounds. “This stuff never really happens around here,” he said, highlighting the shock felt by the community.

Comparisons have been made to Britain’s worst attack on children in 1996 in Dunblane, Scotland, which led to stringent gun control laws. While firearms-related violence is rare in the U.K., knives are implicated in a significant percentage of homicides, sparking ongoing public concern and calls for stricter knife control policies.