From the North: What happened in the Southport attack

Police declared a major incident after a mass stabbing in Southport where three children were killed and several other people were seriously injured.
Axel Rudakubana, 18, from Banks, Lancashire, has been charged in connection with the incident which has been described as “horrendous” by the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
Here’s everything we know about the mass knife attack in Southport:
What happened in Southport on Monday, 29 July?
Emergency services were called to reports of a stabbing at 11:47am at an address on Hart Street in Southport and found multiple people, many of whom were children, with serious knife injuries.
It is understood that the children were attending a Taylor Swift workshop at a dance school – aimed at children aged between seven and eleven years old – when the offender, who was armed with a knife, walked into the premises and started to attack those inside.
The ambulance service dispatched 13 ambulances along with specialised resources.
Gamal Fahbulleh takes look at what happened, who the three girls were, and how the community came together to try and heal following the tragic incident.
What do we know about the victims?
Three girls died following the attack – six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe, both of whom died on Monday 29 July, and nine-year-old Alice Da Silva Aguia, who died in the early hours of Tuesday.
Hundreds gathered for Alice’s funeral where her parents Sergio and Alexandra were joined by family and friends at St Patrick’s Catholic Church in the town.
In an address to their daughter given on their behalf, Alice’s parents said: “Dear Alice, you were our perfect dream child, everything was idyllic from the moment you arrived.
“A good girl, with strong values and kind nature. A lover of animals and an environmentalist in the making. You moved our world with your confidence and empathy. Playful energetic, friendly, and always so respectful.
A private funeral was held for Bebe, with her family thanking members of the public for respecting their wishes.
Her loved ones asked members of the public, who wanted to pay respects, to greet the cortege in a designated area and leave the area around the church clear.
Those who wanted to pay tribute when the service began were asked to light a candle in their homes.
In a statement issued through the funeral directors, the family said: “Lauren, Ben and Genie were able to honour Bebe’s beautiful life in a very special private service surrounded by family and friends who loved and knew Bebe best.”
Her parents also released an emotional tribute to their “precious daughter” who was “full of joy, light and love.”
They also revealed that Bebe’s sister, Genie, was a witness to the attack but managed to escape.
The life of “extraordinary girl” Elsie was remembered with balloons, bubbles and one of her favourite Taylor Swift songs as hundreds lined the streets in tribute.
“Elsie’s Special Day” saw people wear bright and pastel colours and florals, with The family dog, Bobby, was also outside the church to see the procession arrive.
Members of Elsie’s cheerleading group, Vortex Cheer, formed a guard of honour.
In a tribute to the youngster, celebrant Emily Ridgway read ‘Elsie Dot by Mum and Dad’, and said: “Elsie has brought light, love and joy to so many lives in her seven-and-a-half-years.
“From the moment her parents knew of her existence, she has brought them nothing but happiness, and the life she has lived has been a true reflection of the love they have all shared together.”
She added: “Her heart was too kind. It was too kind for anger and for upset.”
Eight other children were also injured – with five of them left in a critical condition. They were all discharged a week later.
Two adults – who were identified in court as yoga teacher Leanne Lucas and businessman John Hayes – were also in a critical state.
Both adults injured were trying to protect the children at the time they were attacked, Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said in a press conference.
North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) said victims were taken to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Aintree University Hospital, Southport and Formby Hospital and Manchester Children’s Hospital.
Has anybody been charged in connection with the knife attack in Southport?
Axel Rudakubana, 18, from Banks in Lancashire, originally from Cardiff, has been charged with three counts of murder and 10 of attempted murder.
He has also been charged with possession of a bladed article.
The teenager appeared before at Liverpool City Magistrates Court and Liverpool Crown Court on 1 August when reporting restrictions on his name were lifted early.
Judge James Hatton said it would “remove the mystique” around the defendant’s identity online.
Furthermore, on Tuesday 29 October, the suspect was charged with two more offences.
In an update by Merseyside Police, he was charged with producing a biological toxin and the possession of information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing to commit an act of terrorism, namely a PDF file named “Military Studies in the Jihad against the tyrants: The Al-Qaeda training manual”.
Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said: “The additional charges are production of a biological toxin, namely ricin, contrary to section 1 of the biological weapons act 1974, and possession of information, namely a PDF file entitled Military Studies in the Jihad against the tyrants: The Al-Qaeda training manual, likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing to commit an act of terrorism contrary to section 58 of the terrorism act 2000.”
Ms Kennedy added the motivation for the attack remains “unclear” but Southport stabbings is currently not being treated as terror-related.
The accused will appear before Westminster Magistrates’ Court via video link on Thursday, 30 October 2024.
What has happened since?
The night after the attack, more than 50 police officers were injured after disorder broke out in Southport, by those believed to be supporters of English Defence League.
Officers suffered injuries including fractures, lacerations, and concussion, and rioters set fire to a police van. Three police dogs were also injured.
Bricks were thrown at a local mosque and cars belonging to members of the public were set alight.
Chair of Merseyside Police Federation Chris McGlade condemned the violence, calling it “utterly disgusting”.
He said: “Police officers are not robots. We are mothers and fathers. Sons and daughters. Husbands, wives and partners.
“We should be going home at the end of our shifts. Not to hospital.”
On Wednesday, Merseyside Police said five men, aged between 31 and 39 had been arrested – one on suspicion of violent disorder, threats to kill and a racially aggravated public order offence, three on suspicion of violent disorder, and one on suspicion of affray and possession of a bladed article. They remain in police custody.
Extra officers stayed in the area to provide a visible presence to reassure communities.
Further disorder broke out in some towns in England following the attack, with more than 100 people arrested at a protest in Whitehall on Wednesday night, while there was also riots in cities across the country the following weekend.
Hundreds have been arrested and charged with violent disorder and inciting violence.
Who has paid tribute to the children killed in the Southport attack?
Many people across the world have paid tribute to the three children who died as a result of the attack.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has laid flowers at the scene, saying his thoughts remain with the family and friends of those directly impacted by the attack.
He also met with a number of fire responders, shortly before his visit to the scene.
Taylor Swift posted on her Instagram account saying she was ‘shocked by the horror’ that unfolded in Southport.
She posted: “The horror of yesterday’s attack is Southport is washing over me continuously, and I’m just completely in shock,” the singer posted on Instagram.
“The loss of life and innocence, and the horrendous trauma inflicted on everyone who was there, the families, and first responders.
“These were just little kids at a dance class. I am at a complete loss for how to ever convey my sympathies to these families.”
A fundraiser set up by Swift fans has raised almost £400,000 for the victims, who were attacked.
The Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, paid her respects by laying flowers at the scene on Hart Street on Tuesday morning.
She was there alongside Southport MP Patrick Hurley, Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service’s Chief Fire Officer Phil Garrigan and Merseyside police and crime commissioner Emily Spurrell.
Yvette Cooper stood for a few moments looking at the tributes before laying her flowers and reading some of the messages left by others.
She is understood to have met with first responders in the town earlier.
How can I get support?
Anyone who has been affected by this incident, can contact our Victim Care Merseyside service for help and support.
Merseyside Police’s hub of local, trained staff provide free, emotional and practical support tailored to your needs.
You can contact Victim Care Merseyside for help whether you have reported a crime to the police or not by calling Freephone 0808 175 3080 on weekdays between 8am and 6pm or request support online at any time at www.victimcaremerseyside.org.
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