Heartbreaking tribute to ‘happy smiley’ girl, 9, with ‘bright life ahead of her’ killed in Southport stabbing tragedy

A NINE-year-old killed in the horrific mass stabbing at a Taylor Swift dance camp has been remembered as a “happy, smiley” girl by devastated family members.

Alice Aguiar is one of three young girls killed in the knife rampage at a "yoga and dance" holiday club in Southport, Merseyside, yesterday.

Heartbroken friends and family paid tribute to the youngster 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.

Two girls aged six and seven were identified as the first fatalities in the attack just before midday yesterday.

Eight other children suffered stab wounds and five are in a critical condition, alongside two adults who were critically injured, police said.

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"

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.

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.

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.

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."

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."

Police said in an update this morning a third child had died in hospital.

They said in a 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."