A 17-year-old boy has been charged with murder after three children were stabbed dead at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport, England.
Merseyside Police confirmed in a news release Thursday morning that the incident occurred around 11:50 a.m. Monday at a children’s event on Hart Street. The victims have been identified Bebe King, 6, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9, BBC News reports.
All three children lost their lives after being attacked with a knife.
“We can confirm that the children who died yesterday were girls aged six and seven years,” a Merseyside PD news release stated. “Eight other children suffered stab wounds sustained during the attack, and five of them are in a critical condition… Two adults are also in a critical condition after being injured during the incident.”
“Our specialist Family Liaison Officers are providing support to the families at this terrible time.”
The suspect, identified as Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, is also facing 10 counts of attempted murder and possession of a “bladed article,” according to the news release.
The Guardian reports Judge Menary KC lifted the defendant’s anonymity order at Liverpool Crown Court earlier this week, noting that the “idiotic rioting” following the attack made it in the public interest to release his name.
During a hearing Wednesday, the defendant reportedly kept his face covered, refused to speak, and would not confirm his name to the judge.
His next appearance at Liverpool Crown Court is scheduled for October 25, with a provisional six-week trial set slated for January 20.
“You are remanded to youth detention accommodation until these proceedings have been completed. That position might change when you achieve your [age of] majority in a short while,” the judge said.
According to court documents, the defendant is a week shy of his 18th birthday.
The story is developing. Check back for updates.
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[Feature Photo: Alice Dasilva Aguiar, Bebe King, and Elsie Dot Stancombe/Merceyside PD]
