Teenage Muslim Knifeman Arrested: Mass Slaughter of Children at Taylor Swift Dance Class

Muslim Migrant Arrested in Mass Slaughter of Children at Taylor Swift Dance Class, TWO DEAD, Eleven INJURED in knife rampage

The suspect is a "asylum-seeker" named Ali Al Shakati.

UK “Knifeman” arrested: 17 year old Ali Al-Shakati from Banks, an “asylum seeker who arrived by boat last year and was on on the MI6 watch list” has been arrested in connection with the Southport stabbings and is currently in police custody.

As well as the two fatalities, 11 others, including nine more children, were stabbed at the sold-out dance, yoga and bracelet making workshop, which was just minutes from finishing.

There were around 25 children aged between six and 11 taking part in the workshop for schoolkids in years two through to six when the horrific attack took place.

The black hooded attacker arrived in a taxi while parents were arriving to pick up their children from the workshop.

The knifeman walked into the dance school and launched a 'ferocious attack' that left mothers arriving to pick up their kids screaming in horror.

The shocking nature of the frenzy was likened to a scene out of a 'horror movie'.

 'I saw seven to ten kids outside. They were injured, bleeding. 

'They were in the road, running away. They had been stabbed, here, here, here, everywhere, the neck, back and chest area.

'They were all aged about ten.

A BBC reporter at the scene described one girl on a stretcher covered in blood with 'her parents running after her'.

The attack happened at a Taylor Swift themed yoga and dance workshop

The knife rampage left two children dead, police revealed

A total of 13 victims were stabbed. Two children died, while nine others are injured. Two adults were also knifed 

Floral tributes which were left for those who were attacked at the Taylor Swift-themed yoga and dance workshop

Flowers and a stuffed animal are seen behind the police cordon

Two female yoga teachers who were leading the class were critically injured as they desperately tried to save the children.

The knifeman's frenzy took place towards the end of a Taylor Swift-themed dance workshop at Hart Space Studios (pictured) in Southport

Forensic officers on Hart Street in Southport, Merseyside, following the shocking knife rampage

Police also cordoned off a property in Banks after the rampage. Several police cars and armed officers were at the scene

The suspect is from Banks, a village outside Southport, and a road in the area was cordoned off by police.

All the casualties are now being treated in hospitals, including children's hospitals in Liverpool and Manchester.

The King said on Monday evening that he and the Queen had been 'profoundly shocked' to hear of the 'utterly horrific incident in Southport today'.

Charles added: '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.'

The Prince and Princess of Wales said: '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.

'We send our love, thoughts and prayers to all those involved in this horrid and heinous attack.

'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.'

Following a police press conference on Monday evening, the Prime Minister offered his condolences to the victims of the attack in Southport, and their families and friends, saying 'the whole country is deeply shocked'.

Police screens up at the scene of the tragic stabbing incident in Hart Street in Southport

Emergency crews and forensic teams descended on the scene after 13 people were stabbed

Police, fire and ambulance crews at the scene

An air ambulance at the scene of the multiple stabbings in Southport

Merseyside Police declared a major incident after receiving emergency calls at 11.50am , with armed response vehicles, 13 ambulances and the fire service descending on the scene.

Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said: 'My officers were called to reports of a stabbing at 11.47 this morning at an address in Southport.

'When they arrived, they were shocked to find that multiple people, many of whom were children, had been subjected to a ferocious attack and had suffered serious injuries.

'The children were attending a Taylor Swift event at a dance hall when the offender, armed with a knife, walked into the premises and started to attack the children inside.

'The adults who were injured were bravely trying to protect the children who were being attacked. 

'As a mum and a nana, I can't begin to imagine the pain and suffering that the families of the victims are going through.'

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: 'It is devastating that two children have been killed and others remain in hospital in critical condition after the horrific attack in Southport today.

Police in Southport, Merseyside, where the 17-year-old Muslim knifeman was arrested and the knife was seized

'What has happened is utterly heartbreaking.

'My heart goes out to the children, their parents, the brave adults trying to protect them, and the families of all affected.

'It is unimaginable what they will be going through.

'And the whole country will want to support them in their grief.'

MP for Southport Patrick Hurley posted a statement on X: 'My thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and families of the horrific attack on Hart Street today.

'I am deeply saddened by the news that two children have been fatally injured.

'I hope for the swift and full recovery of all the other victims of this senseless attack and I thank the staff at Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Southport and Formby Hospital, and Aintree University Hospital for their care for those affected.'