For a matter to be declared a terrorist incident, motivation would need to be established.

A mother looks at her child laying a bouquet of sunflowers next to floral tributes for the victims of a deadly knife attack in Southport, northwest England, on July 31, 2024. Violent clashes broke out in the northern England town where a mass stabbing at a Taylor Swift-themed dance event claimed the lives of three children. Police have said they are not treating the attack as terror-related, but have not released any details of the suspected attacker other than that he is 17 years old and originally from Wales. (Photo by PETER POWELL / AFP) (Photo by PETER POWELL/AFP via Getty Images)

A mother looks at her child laying a bouquet of sunflowers next to floral tributes for the victims of a deadly knife attack in Southport, northwest England, on July 31, 2024.PETER POWELL/AFP/Getty Images