A 17-year-old man has been charged with triple murder and ten counts of attempted murder following a deadly knife attack in Southport, England, amid heightened tensions and far-right protests in the country.
Charges filed and unrest in London
British authorities have charged the 17-year-old suspect with three counts of murder and ten counts of attempted murder after the fatal knife attack in Southport, northern England. The suspect allegedly attacked several children and two adults during a dance class on Monday, resulting in the deaths of three girls.
In London, clashes erupted between police and protesters. More than 100 people were arrested near the British government headquarters during riots by British ultra-nationalists. On Tuesday evening, violent riots had already occurred in Southport, during which more than 50 officers were injured, some severely.
Misinformation fuels protests
Far-right groups accuse authorities of covering up the alleged truth about the attacker’s origins. The protest in London was held under the slogan “Enough is enough.” Participants chanted demands to stop the entry of irregular migrants. Scuffles broke out with police, and objects were thrown against the fence in front of the government headquarters on Downing Street.
False information had circulated rumors that the attacker was an illegally entered Muslim asylum seeker. According to police, the suspect was born in Britain, and his parents are reportedly from Rwanda. He is in pre-trial detention, and his motive remains unclear. The police state that this is not considered a terrorist act.
Attack during Taylor Swift-themed dance class
The attack took place during a holiday course for children aged between six and eleven years. The leisure activity was advertised online by the organizers as a dance and yoga course with a Taylor Swift theme. A nine-year-old, a seven-year-old, and a six-year-old girl were fatally injured.
The incident has further inflamed tensions in the UK, with protests in both Southport and London. Authorities continue to investigate the case while attempting to quell unrest and combat the spread of misinformation surrounding the attacker’s background.
