A MASKED man has been pictured outside a house that was later raided by police in Southport after a horror knife rampage that left two children dead.
Six other youngsters were left in critical condition after being stabbed at the Taylor Swift-themed event in Merseyside yesterday.
Dozens of youngsters had gathered for a “yoga and dance” holiday club before the chaos unfolded.
A newly released video from ITV shows an individual wearing a green hoodie and a face mask walking back and forth outside the front door of a separate property in Southport.
The doorbell footage then shows several police cars and a group of officers, including some who are armed, appearing at the same house.
Armed cops had earlier scrambled to a community centre called Hart Space in Southport after reports of a knife attack at 11.47am on Monday.
Multiple children and adults were found with stab wounds in what was described by cops as a ” ferocious attack”.
Merseyside Police arrested a 17-year-old boy from Banks, Lancashire, on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.
Two kids were killed, six have been left in critical condition and three other youngsters were injured in scenes described as a “horror film” by terrified witnesses.
And two female teachers who bravely tried to defend the children are also in critical condition after being knifed.
It comes as multiple witnesses reported spotting a man with a black hood at the scene of the horror yesterday.
What we know so far…
But witnesses said the man who was spotted near the Taylor Swift-themed event was wearing black, unlike the figure in the newly released video.
A staff member at the Hart Space, who wanted to remain anonymous, said she had heard the suspect was wearing a “black hood” when he stabbed multiple kids.
The staff member said: “There were probably 25 children there because that’s the max we have there and they had reached the max.
“I don’t even know if the teachers are ok, they posted the other day that they were full for this Taylor Swift holiday club this morning.
“It was apparently a guy with a black hooded top on. But he’s been arrested.”
Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said in a press conference on Monday: “Today, I’m here to advise that two children have died as a result of the injuries sustained in this morning’s knife attack.
“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, and two adults are also in a critical condition after being injured during the incident.
“A 17-year-old male from Banks in Lancashire, who is originally from Cardiff has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.
“And he’s been taken to a police station where he will be interviewed by detectives.
“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.
“It is understood that the children were attending a Taylor Swift event at a dance school when the offender armed with a knife walked into the premises and started to attack the children inside.
“We believe that 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 at this moment in time, and I wish to send my heartfelt condolences to them.
“Our specialist Family Liaison Officers are providing support to the families of the deceased children and the children who are injured at this moment in time and we’ll be working with our partners including Sefton council to provide that wider trauma support to those who’ve been affected by this incident.”
Terror cops have “offered support” to police probing the horror – but it is not understood to be terror related.
The King and Queen led tributes and are among those who have sent their “deepest sympathies” to the families of those affected.
Meanwhile, the Princess and Prince of Wales also made a heartfelt statement following the horror.
Cops rushed to a property in Hart Street, Southport, at around 11.50am as chaos erupted on the road.
The youngsters were said to have been attacked during the chaos at the pop star-themed yoga and dance workshop.
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.
The suspect then fled and locals reportedly barricaded homes with the teenager later arrested soon after at a gym.
Officers police stressed that they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the stabbing.
A local business owner, who was one of the people who called the police, said the incident was akin to a “scene in a horror movie.”
Leigh Walton, 50, who owns Yates Motor Engineers on the same street said: “Police have been searching out back yard as the man went on the run and were checking under cars for him.
“The house is not advertised as a nursery but it is one. This is a shocking incident, it’s not a crime hub around there, it’s a quiet area.
“I’ve heard several children were injured and there are more than 50 police vehicles in attendance and air ambulances circling overhead.
“I saw the armed response black Volvo race to the scene and parents looking distressed.”
A large police cordon was put up around the building in Hart Road, with police officers guarding either end.
North West Ambulance Service has confirmed eight patients have been rushed to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Aintree University Hospital and Southport and Formby Hospital.
Colin Parry, owner of Masters Vehicle Body Repairs on Hart Street, added: “The mothers are coming here now and screaming. It is like a scene from a horror movie.”
“Police have got him. It’s like something from America, not like sunny Southport.”
Mr Parry told BBC Radio 5 Live that a builder helped lead some of the children away from the scene of the attack and neighbours helped take “about 10 girls to safety”.
“The community was coming together, everyone was trying to help. Everyone was trying to save the young kids,” he added.
