Grief and shock as Southport mourns children in brutal attack
The United Kingdom is deeply affected by the brutal assault on a group of children in Southport. More information is emerging about the 17-year-old perpetrator, whom neighbours describe as a loner. In the past, he trained in karate.
On Monday (29 July) in Southport, an arts and movement class was held for the youngest age groups from 6 to 11 years old in the community centre. The event was dedicated to Taylor Swift.
Three children died, and eight were wounded. Five are in critical condition. Teachers who tried to defend their students are also fighting for their lives—all sustained stab wounds.
More details about the case are coming to light. According to "The Sun," the 17-year-old is from Cardiff, Wales. His parents moved to the United Kingdom from Rwanda in 2006. Both are currently 40 years old.
A neighbour who lived close to him in the farming village of Banks, Lancs, described him as an introvert who was "clingy" to his mother, according to the newspaper.
The family moved to the village of Banks 11 years ago when the perpetrator was 7 years old. In Cardiff, they lived in a modern estate. Neighbours also describe the parents: the father is hardworking, and the mother takes care of the house. They are likely Christians.
Shock in England. Perpetrator trained in karate, attended parish hall
"All the time I have lived here, I have never spoken to the lad. I’ve never seen him out on his own"; "I think I’ve probably only ever seen him on two or three occasions"; "They just seemed like a normal family" - neighbours of the family told "The Sun".
As a child, the lad had lived in a modern, private estate in Wales, where he trained in karate with his father. They did classes with Sensei Mbakwe, 79, at St Cadoc’s church hall in Llanrumney. Mr Mbakwe said the family were nice but the boy’s father fell out with him after he failed him for his black belt grading. "He was a good child, a normal child, who had lots of energy. The dad was just a pleasant, normal guy and the son was just a normal five-year-old," the cleric added.
The 17-year-old has a brother who studies at a university in the Midlands. "The youngest child was very quiet, an introvert. He was quite clingy to his mum while his older brother was more boisterous and would stick his tongue out at you," said another neighbour.
The police are not disclosing the perpetrator's motives. He was arrested for committing murder and attempted murder. After the attack, clashes occurred with police in the city. People are fed up with crimes committed by illegal immigrants. Residents of Southport are gathering in front of the community centre to pay respects to the deceased and the attacked children.
