Does this chilling footage show Southport attacker minutes before rampage that killed 2 children and injured 9 more?

30 July 2024, 09:52

Masked man seen pacing in front of Southport house later raided by police

By Kit Heren

Chilling footage may show the Southport attacker minutes before a rampage that left two children dead and nine more injured.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

A video shows a man in a green hoodie and Covid-style face mask pacing around in front of a house in the village of Banks, close to Southport.

The footage was taken around 20 minutes before a knifeman killed two children and wounded nine more in a Taylor Swift-themed dance workshop on Hart Street near the centre of Southport.

Two adults are seriously wounded and are also in hospital, including yoga teacher Leanne Lucas.

A 17-year-old boy has been arrested and is still being questioned by police.

Read more: Hero dance teacher among eight critical after knifeman's rampage that left two children dead in Southport

Read more: Pictured: Hero businessman stabbed in leg while trying to save Southport children after hearing screams from office

A person leaves flowers near the scene in Hart Street, Southport, where two children died and nine were injured in a 'ferocious' knife attack
A person leaves flowers near the scene in Hart Street, Southport, where two children died and nine were injured in a 'ferocious' knife attack. Picture: Alamy

Officers remain unsure as to a motive for the attack, although they said yesterday that they did not think it was terror-related.

The footage, which was first obtained by ITV, cuts later to police officers outside the house in Banks.

The 17-year-old lives in Banks, and is originally from Cardiff.

The attack has sparked a wave of outrage and sorrow, with commiserations shared by the King and Keir Starmer, among others.

A police statement on Monday evening read: "It is with great sadness that today I am here to advise that two young children have died as a result of injuries sustained in a knife attack this morning.

"Nine other children have been injured, and six of them are in a critical condition, all those injured have suffered stab wounds sustained during the attack. Two adults are also in a critical condition after being injured during the incident.

Emergency services near the scene in Hart Street, Southport
Emergency services near the scene in Hart Street, Southport. Picture: Alamy

"A 17-year-old male from Banks in Lancashire, who was born in Cardiff, has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder and has been taken to a police station where he will be interviewed by detectives.

"My officers were called to reports of a stabbing at 11.47am at an address 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.

"It is understood that the children were attending a Taylor Swift event at a dance school when the offender, who was armed with a knife, walked into the premises and started to attack those inside. We believe that the adults who were injured were trying to protect the children at the time they were attacked.

"As a mum of two daughters, and the nanna of a five-year-old granddaughter, I cannot begin to imagine the pain and suffering the families of the victims are currently going through and I want to send them our heartfelt condolences and sympathies.

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

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Ambulance worker messaged friend 'oopsie' after trying to kill boss in 'frenzied' hammer attack in row over shifts (Left: Smith, Right: Morton)

Ambulance worker messaged friend 'oopsie' after trying to kill boss in 'frenzied' hammer attack in row over shifts

Reeves vowes to put 'more pounds in people’s pockets' despite admitting touch decisions to come in Budget

Rachel Reeves vows to put 'more pounds in people’s pockets' in Budget despite admitting tough decisions to come

The oak, thought to be at least 400 years old, is hidden away in a Sitka spruce plantation in Lochaber, in the Scottish Highlands.

'Hidden' 400-year-old oak named after Scottish band is crowned tree of the year

Garr died in Los Angeles on Tuesday due to complications from multiple sclerosis

Teri Garr, who starred in Tootsie and Young Frankenstein, dies aged 79

Rachel Reeves is putting the final touches on her first budget tonight - and the stakes couldn't be higher.

Everything we know about the Budget so far and what it will mean for you

The minimum wage will rise to £12.21 an hour

Millions of workers to get pay rise as Chancellor announces minimum wage increase

A boy fell ill after Salisbury poisoning victim Sergei Skripal gave him bread to feed ducks

Boy fell ill after Salisbury poisoning victim gave him bread to feed ducks, inquiry hears

Hayley Butler

British dog groomer, 40, dies after gastric band surgery in Turkey - as heartbroken family pay tribute

The Portuguese club said United have 'expressed interest' in paying the release clause

Sporting say Man Utd willing to pay €10m release clause for manager Ruben Amorim

British Airways plane being loaded with luggage and meals.

British Airways leaves seasoned flyers fuming after scrapping three-course in-flight meals in 'cost-cutting' move

Jimmy Donaldson, YouTube name MrBeast (left), Rosanna Pansino (right)

YouTube megastars at war: MrBeast 'reported to FBI' by Rosanna Pansino over ‘disturbing’ leaked messages

The Zimbabwean claimed his removal would breach his Article Eight rights to a family life under the ECHR

Zimbabwean who was jailed for causing death allowed to live in UK under ECHR after discovering he had a child

Southport stabbing suspect charged with creating ricin and possession of Al Qaeda Training Manual

Southport stabbing suspect charged with creating ricin and possession of Al Qaeda training manual

Lambert looked to evade officers chasing him on foot by running into a lake and swimming to an island in the middle

Man who swam through lake to evade police capture jailed for aggravated burglary

X-Factor star Levi Davis posted a chilling last video on social media in which he said he was being blackmailed by a criminal gang who threatened to kill him and his family.

Mother of Levi Davis calls on police to 'pull out the stops' in search like they did for Jay Slater and Madeleine McCann

The above-inflation increase will benefit young people the most

Boost for low-paid workers as minimum wage set to rise by 6% in Wednesday's Budget