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Taylor Swift has spoken of her horror following a fatal knife attack at a children’s dance class in Southport.
Three children died after the incident in Merseyside on Monday, where they were attending a workshop on the American singer’s music.
In a statement posted to her Instagram account, Swift said: “The horror of yesterday’s attack continues to overwhelm me and I am in complete shock.
“The loss of life and innocence and the horrific trauma inflicted on everyone who was there, the families and the first responders.”
She added: “They were just little kids taking part in a dance class. I don’t know how to express my sympathy to these families.”
It came as Leanne Lucas, 35, was identified locally as one of the organisers of the dance class where a knifeman targeted both adults and children.
She and another adult, who is believed to have been running the workshop with her, remain in critical condition after reportedly trying to stop the attack.
Eight children were injured, five of them seriously.
Posting a photo of Ms Lucas on Facebook, Sunshine Yoga wrote: “I am absolutely devastated. Please pray for Leanne.
“Leanne came to my internship in December. She was a beautiful, creative young girl who was so passionate about helping children. I can’t believe it. Please pray.”
Armed police arrested a 17-year-old boy from Banks and seized a knife in connection with the stabbings, which are not believed to be terrorism-related. Merseyside Police said the motive was not yet clear and the teenager remained in custody.
On Tuesday morning, flowers and teddy bears were left by the police cordon on Hart Street.
At the scene, a local resident described how the parent of one of the injured children stopped in front of his house with his child, shouting: “Help, my child has been stabbed, my child has been stabbed.”
Sarah, 45, said The Independent:”A mother had an injured child in her car and stopped in front of our house. She received a call from a doctor. She was in distress. My husband helped her get back to the scene. We hope the child is okay.”
She added: “She stopped and just said, ‘Help, my child has been stabbed, my child has been stabbed.'”
The 45-year-old woman, who was walking along Hart Street on Tuesday morning with her young daughter, said she still did not know if the child had survived.
As her husband jumped into the woman’s car and helped her and her child return to receive medical care, Sarah and her daughter “found themselves in lockdown,” she said. “I’m shocked, it’s shaken us all.”
Sarah, who has worked in a daycare for years, said her daughter had picked out roses and sunflowers this morning, which she was about to place at the scene of the tragedy.
A message on a “Thinking of you” card said my “thoughts and prayers” were with those affected and was signed: “With love – Southport.”
Another said: “Fly high with the angels, little ones.”
