At least 2 children killed in shooting spree at dance class in UK; teenager arrested

Two children were killed and nine others injured in a stabbing at a dance school in Britain on Monday, police in the northwestern English town of Southport said. A 17-year-old man was arrested on charges of murder and attempted murder and a knife was seized, police said.

Six of the nine injured children are in critical condition, Merseyside Police Commissioner Serena Kennedy told reporters during a press conference. All of the children suffered stab wounds, Kennedy said.

Two adults injured in the attack are also in critical condition, Kennedy said. Investigators believe the adults were injured while trying to protect the children, she said.

Police received reports of the attack at 11:47 a.m., Kennedy said.

“They were shocked to discover that several people, including many children, had been victims of a brutal attack and had suffered serious injuries,” Kennedy said.

Investigators were working to determine a motive for the attack, police said in a statement.

“The incident is not currently being treated as terror-related and we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident,” the statement said.

The children were attending a Taylor Swift-themed event at the dance school when the attacker came in with a knife and began the attack, Kennedy said.

“As a mother and grandmother, I cannot even begin to imagine the pain and suffering that the families of the victims must go through,” she said.

The North West Ambulance Service said eight people were taken to regional hospitals, including a children’s hospital, with stab wounds. The identities of the victims were not immediately clear.

Alder Hey Children’s Hospital has declared a major emergency and asked parents to only take their children to the emergency room in urgent cases, Reuters news agency reported.

Colin Parry, a local business owner, told the British news agency Press Association that he believed six or seven “young girls” had been stabbed. He had called the police.

“The mothers come here now and scream. It’s like a scene from a horror movie,” he said. “It’s like something from America, not like sunny Southport.”

A father, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Press Association that his “daughter was present at the attack and was traumatised. She ran away and got to safety.”

“Terrible and deeply shocking news coming from Southport. My thoughts are with everyone affected,” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on social media. “I would like to thank the police and emergency services for their quick response. I will be kept updated as the situation develops.”