Heroic Window Cleaner Saves Lives During Tragic Stabbing at Taylor Swift Dance Class
July 31, 2024Joel Verite, a 25-year-old window cleaner and personal trainer, is being hailed as a hero for his courageous intervention during a stabbing incident at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport, which tragically resulted in the deaths of three young girls.
The attack occurred at The Hart Space, where the dance class was taking place, leaving three girls dead, including nine-year-old Alice Aguiar, and injuring eight others.
In total, six other children are critically injured, and a 17-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder as investigations continue.
The incident has drawn significant attention to the bravery of bystanders, particularly Verite, who rushed to help despite the chaos.
Verite demonstrated remarkable fearlessness by assisting police in subduing the attacker and carrying injured children to safety after he was alerted by a woman shouting for help.
Upon arriving at the scene, Verite encountered a woman who warned him about the ongoing attack, saying, 'forget about me, there’s a fella in there stabbing kids.'
His friend Kyle Shaw praised Verite's quick decision-making and fearlessness, noting that he helped detain the suspect and carry injured children from the scene.
Despite his heroic actions, Verite expressed that the traumatic experience of witnessing injured children would stay with him for the rest of his life.
Chloe Skelton, a co-owner of Level Up Gym, emphasized Verite's strength and bravery, noting that he is a former rugby player and a new father who was traumatized by the experience.
Verite was one of the first responders, entering the location with police and assisting in subduing the suspect after he was Tasered.
A vigil was held for the three young children who lost their lives in the incident, as the nation mourned the tragedy.
Summary based on 6 sources
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Sources
Express.co.uk • Jul 30, 2024
Heroic window cleaner saved children from Southport attacker at Taylor Swift dance classEvening Standard • Jul 30, 2024
Hero window cleaner tackled Southport stabber after seeing children 'covered in blood'The Mirror • Jul 30, 2024
'Hero' window cleaner tackled knifeman after hearing girls scream in dance classThe Mirror • Jul 30, 2024
Dance class knifeman 'would have been scared' when he saw 'true hero' coming