A Taylor Swift-themed event at a dance school in the U.K. ended in tragedy on Monday after two children were killed and several others were critically injured in a mass stabbing.

The attack took place at a dance and yoga workshop in the northwest England town of Southport where at least 25 young girls, aged 6 to 11, were in attendance, TMZ reported.

A suspect, identified only as a 17-year-old boy, is now in police custody after being arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder, CBS News reported, citing Southport police.

Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said during a news conference that officers seized a knife from the suspect.

Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift performs onstage for the opening night of "Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour" at State Farm Stadium on March 17, 2023. Kevin Winter/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management

Thirteen victims, including 11 kids and two adults, were rushed to hospitals after obtaining stab wounds. Their names were not disclosed.

According to Kennedy, two of the children died from their injuries, while six of the nine wounded kids were in critical condition as of Monday.

The two adults, whom investigators believe got hurt while trying to protect the little girls, were also in critical condition, the chief constable said.

Death Police Line
Representation Image. ValynPi14 / Pixabay

Several prominent figures in the U.K., including the royal family, have condemned the attack.

In a statement shared via X, formerly Twitter, King Charles III said he and his wife Queen Camilla were "profoundly shocked" when they learned about the "utterly horrific" assault.

"We send our most heartfelt condolences, prayers and deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of those who have so tragically lost their lives, and to all those affected by this truly appalling attack," King Charles added.

Meanwhile, Prince William and his wife, Kate Middleton, sent their "love, thoughts and prayers to all those involved in this horrid and heinous attack."

"As parents, we cannot begin to imagine what the families, friends and loved ones of those killed and injured in Southport today are going through," the Prince and Princess of Wales wrote in their statement, also shared on X.

"Thank you also to the emergency responders who, despite being met with the most horrific scenes, demonstrated compassion and professionalism when your community needed you most," they added, signing the statement with their initials, "W & C."

Police did not reveal the name of the suspect. Kennedy said the teen was originally from Cardiff, Wales, but now lives near Southport.

They also have not yet disclosed a motive for the attack.

"The incident is not currently being treated as terror-related and we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident," police said in a statement, according to CBS News.

The investigation is ongoing.

Tags
Taylor Swift, Crime