Nation 'United In Shock And Grief' As Vigil Held For Three Girls Stabbed To Death

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Nation 'United In Shock And Grief' As Vigil Held For Three Girls Stabbed To Death

The three girls who were killed in a "ferocious" knife attack at a children's dance workshop

Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, died after the attack at a Taylor Swift-themed event on Hart Street, Southport, England, on Monday.

On Tuesday, there was an emotional vigil on the city's streets, where thousands gathered to remember the three girls. The three girls who were killed in a "ferocious" knife attack at a children's dance workshop.

As well as the three girls killed in Monday's stabbing, five children and two adults who were also injured remain in a critical condition.

Bebe’s family said "no words" could describe the "devastation that has hit our family", while Alice's parents said she would always be "our princess and no-one would change that".

In a tribute from her "Daddy and Mummy", Alice's parents said: "Keep smiling and dancing like you love to do, our princess."

Elsie was described by a teacher at her primary school as "loving and bright" and a "caring and charismatic young lady". Tributes have also been paid to yoga teacher, Leanne Lucas, thought to be 35, who the BBC understands was running the summer holiday dance and yoga class.

"Your bravery has touched the heart of the nation, we are all praying for you and the families affected," one Instagram user said.

"Thoughts and prayers are with you Leanne, keep fighting," another wrote.

Merseyside Police said a 17-year-old boy, from Banks in Lancashire, who was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder, remains in custody.

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".

Thousands of people joined the vigil outside the Atkinson building in Southport, which began at 18:00 BST.

Flowers were laid for those who affected by the attack, while those who had gathered applauded the efforts of the emergency services who had responded.

A minute's silence was also observed in honour of the girls who died and those who were injured.

Addressing the crowd, Sefton Mayor June Burns said she hoped the vigil would offer support to the families of those killed and injured, adding that it was "hard to find the words at such a horrendous time".

Local residents have also 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.

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.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who followed home secretary Yvette Cooper in visiting the scene of the attack, said he had come to pay his "respects to the families and the victims who are going through raw pain and grief".

"As a father myself, I can't imagine what they're going through," he said.

He said he had also wanted to "personally thank those that responded emergency service yesterday" who were "all back on duty today".

"I wanted to shake their hands and say on behalf of the entire country 'thank you for what you did yesterday', because that was no ordinary challenge that they ran towards.

"They have saved lives and sometimes it's very important to come and personally say 'thank you'."

King Charles previously paid tribute to "all those affected by this truly appalling attack".

Singer Taylor Swift said she was "completely in shock" after the "horror" of the knife attack. Her fans had raised more than £200,000 for the families of the victims earlier on Tuesday evening.

Several other fundraisers have also been launched for those caught up in the attack.

A GoFundMe page set up to raise money for Alice’s family described the attack as “horrific”.

The fundraiser which was created by members of staff from a nearby care home, Benridge Care Group would like to help support the family, so we kindly request donations towards costs that the family will be faced with.”

Dance teacher Leanne Lucas, 35, is reported to be fighting for her life after a knifeman burst into the family-friendly event in Hart Street at roughly 11.50am on Monday.

Three other children suffered stab wounds but are not in critical condition, police confirmed.

We send our love, thoughts, and prayers to all those involved in this horrid and heinous attack.