Taylor Swift responded to the deadly stabbing spree that occurred during a dance workshop featuring her songs, in which three children were killed and at least 11 others were injured. "The horror of the attack that took place in Southport is overwhelming me constantly, and I am in absolute shock," Taylor wrote in a heartfelt Instagram story.
"The loss of life and innocence, and the horrendous trauma inflicted on everyone who was there, the families, and first responders,” Swift added. “These were just little kids at a dance class."
The pop icon was referring to the stabbing attack that took place on Monday evening in Southport, England. During the attack, three children were killed, and at least 11 people, including children, were injured, some seriously. The attack took place at a community center hosting yoga workshops, bracelet-making sessions, and a dance workshop using Taylor Swift's songs. The workshops were intended for children ages 6 to 11, and about 25 children were present at the time.
Reports that shocked Britain describe a 17-year-old boy wearing a black hoodie who arrived armed and, for reasons still unknown, began to stab those around him. He was subdued and arrested. Police say the boy lives in a nearby village, and there is currently no suspicion that this was a terrorist attack. The attacker arrived at the scene by taxi and began stabbing the children just as the workshop was concluding, as parents were arriving to pick up their children. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was "deeply shocked" and is receiving regular updates.
Eyewitness Colin Perry told local media that he saw six or seven girls who had been stabbed. "The mothers arrived and were screaming, it was like scenes from a horror movie. It's like something you would expect in America, not sunny Southport." Another eyewitness, 35-year-old Bair Warhthan, who works at a nearby store, said he saw about 10 injured and bleeding children. "They were lying on the road, they had fled from there. They were stabbed in the neck, back and chest," he said.
A nearby resident, 57-year-old Deborah Parker, told The Guardian that she saw a 10-year-old girl bleeding and struggling to breathe, and that the girl was barely conscious: "She came out and said, 'Mom, they stabbed me, they stabbed me.' The mother put her into the car as fast as she could and screamed 'Help me, help.' She was covered in blood."
Ryan Carney, who also lives nearby, said he hurried home to be with his mother after she saw the horrific injuries at the stabbing scene: "She says there was a woman screaming that she couldn't find her child. They let her into the scene and then she ran, and all my mother heard was this woman screaming 'That's my child! That's my child!'"
The BBC reported that Swift's fans raised donations for the victims and their families, amounting to over £47,000 ($60,400). Taylor is currently concluding the European leg of her tour, with upcoming performances in Warsaw this weekend and Vienna next week. On August 15, she will return for five more shows at Wembley Stadium in London.