Three girls killed in Southport mass stabbing named as tributes paid to Bebe King and Elsie Dot Stancombe

TRIBUTES are pouring in for the three young girls who died amid the horror in Southport yesterday.

Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar have been named as the victims of the knife rampage at a "yoga and dance" holiday club in Southport, Merseyside, yesterday.

Alice Aguiar was named as a victim of the horror rampage earlier todayCredit: Facebook

Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, was also killed in the tragic attackCredit: PA

Six-year-old Bebe King has also been named as a victimCredit: PA

The tragedy struck at a 'Taylor Swift' campCredit: Getty

Tributes poured in for young Alice earlier today, after her family confirmed she tragically died in the early hours of this morning.

Her heartbroken loved ones this afternoon said she would "always be their princess".

An emotional tribute read: "Keep smiling and dancing like you love to do our Princess, like we said before to you, you're always our princess and no one would change that.

"Love from Your Hero Daddy and Mummy."

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FAMILY AGONY

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TRIPLE TRAGEDY

Southport stabbing victims' ages confirmed as 3 dead & seven remain critical

Young Bebe's family also opened up about their devastation.

The loved ones said: "No words can describe the devastation that has hit our family as we try to deal with the loss of our little girl Bebe."

A Merseyside Police statement added: "Their families, who are being supported by specialist officers, have issued photographs and have asked that their privacy is respected at this time."

Heartbroken friends and family paid tribute to Alice after she died in hospital from her injuries, saying she was killed by a “despicable human being”.

A 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, remains in custody accused of murder and attempted murder following the incident at the dance studio in Hart Street.

Bebe and Elsie, aged six and seven, were identified as the first victims in the attack just before midday yesterday.

Southport witnesses tell of stabbed children 'covered in blood' in scene 'from a horror movie' as 3 dead and 6 critical

Eight other children suffered stab wounds and five were in fighting for their life, alongside two adults who were critically injured, police said.

The fully booked club for children, which was advertised as a dance and yoga workshop, as well as bracelet-making, quickly became something "like a horror movie", witnesses to the deadly stabbings have said.

Teacher Leanne Lucas, 35, is understood to be fighting for her life in hospital after "bravely trying to protect" kids at the Hart Space Studios.

Her colleague Heidi, also 35, escaped uninjured after heroically locking some of the children inside a toilet to keep them safe.

Meanwhile, Jonathan Hayes, 63, ran into the dance studio and tried to fend off the attacker moments after hearing screams from his nearby office and was stabbed in the leg.

A video obtained by ITV shows an individual wearing a green hoodie and face mask pacing back and forth outside the front door.

Horror attack timeline

Monday, July 29

10am

Taylor Swift-themed yoga and dance workshop begins at The Hart Space in Hart Street

11.47am

Police are called to reports of a stabbing and a major incident is declared

Emergency services later say the scene was “horrific” and “chaotic” as they arrived at the children’s club

5.25pm

Police say 17-year-old male was arrested, before later clarifying he had been detained on suspicion of murder and attempted murder

7.18pm

Police confirm two young children, aged six and seven, have died following the horror attack

Tuesday, July 30

8.30am

Police confirm the suspect remains in custody and continues to be questioned

10.30am

Taylor Swift posts tribute on Instagram, saying she is "completely in shock"

12.30pm

Police confirm a third child, a nine-year-old girl, has died in hospital.

15.30pm

Cops named Bebe King, six, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, as victims of attack.

The doorbell footage then shows several police cars and a group of officers, including some who are armed, appearing at the same house.

A staff member at the Hart Space, who wanted to remain anonymous, said she heard the suspect was wearing a "black hood" when he reportedly stabbed multiple children.

Locals said the suspect had got out of a taxi minutes before noon before his launching his attack.

He accessed the Hart Space Studios because a door was left open amid sweltering heat.

Police have said that, although the motive for the attack is unclear, it is not believed to be terror-related.

Taylor Swift said she is "completely in shock" after the "horror" of the knife attack.

What we know so far...

Three children have died after being stabbed
Eight other children were injured and five are in critical condition
Two adults are also in critical condition after bravely trying to save the youngsters
Two yoga teachers heroically helped save some of the kids from the attacker
Armed police were called to the scene on Hart Street, Southport, at 11.50am
A 17-year-old boy has been detained and a knife seized
Chilling footage shows an individual pacing outside a house before the attack
Patients have been taken to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Aintree University Hospital and Southport and Formby Hospital
The attack is understood to have taken place at a Taylor Swift-themed event
The singer has said she is in "complete shock"

Alice's mum Alexandra Aguiar is understood to hail originally from Caracas in Venezuela and her dad David Aguiar is from Madeira.

Relative Carina Aguiar said in an emotional tribute: "Princess Alice. In this moment of great pain my soul hurts, my body hurts, my mind hurts. I have a lump in my throat.

"You were just an innocent child, a happy smiley girl with a bright life ahead of you which a despicable human being took away from you, without pity, for no reason.

"Look after your mum and dad who are suffering, who are desolate and broken. Fly high our little star. I love you."

Hotel worker, Carina, who lives in Camara de Lobos in Madeira, posted a link on her social media to news Merseyside Police had confirmed a third child had died following the attack and wrote tear emoticons beside it.

Earlier she posted a photo of a black ribbon on her Facebook alongside Alice's name.

Merseyside Police's latest statement:

"Sadly we can confirm that a third child has passed away as a result of injuries sustained in a knife attack in Southport yesterday morning, Monday 29 July.

"The nine-year-old girl died in hospital in the early hours of this morning, Tuesday, 30 July.

"We can confirm that the children who died yesterday were girls aged six and seven years.

"Eight other children suffered stab wounds sustained during the attack, and five of them are in a critical condition.

"Two adults are also in a critical condition after being injured during the incident.

"Our specialist Family Liaison Officers are providing support to the families at this terrible time.

"Yesterday, officers arrested a 17-year-old male from Banks and he remains in police custody.

"A name has been shared on social media in connection with the suspect in the incident in Southport.

"This name is incorrect and we would urge people not to speculate on details of the incident while the investigation is ongoing.

"This incident is not currently being treated as terror-related and we are not looking for anyone else in connection with it."

Friend Claudia Trindade responded by saying: "Have strength. Let my dear God console the hearts of her parents."

Magda Fernandes said: "I have no words. My condolences to the whole family. Lots of strength at this difficult hour."

Liliana Soares wrote: "What a huge tragedy. My pretty and innocent angel. Such tremendous pain.

"My sincerest condolences Carina to the whole family."

Another family friend, Henrique Drummond, wrote on social media in a direct message to Alice's parents: "David Aguiar, Alexandra Aguiar.

"Life is so cruel that an animal takes the life of children, especially our Alice. Lots of strength in these extremely difficult moments."

No words can describe the devastation that has hit our family as we try to deal with the loss of our little girl Bebe.
Bebe's family

Portuguese Foreign Ministry sources confirmed today a Portuguese girl had died.

One said: "Portugal's Consul General in Manchester is assisting the family, having spoken to her parents, and is continuing to offer them all the support they need."

Jose Cesario, the Secretary of State for the Portuguese Communities, told a Portuguese TV station today: "Unfortunately a child who is the daughter of Portuguese parents originally from Madeira has died.

"She was born on October 14, 2014, and was nine years old. She was one of the victims of this awful crime. The family lives in Southport.

"The parents are in a state of shock. We are going to continue to give them the support they need, we are in direct contact with an aunt of the young girl.

"The priority is to give them all the moral support they need and afterwards things depend on the family and where they want to hold the funeral."