1 of 3 | John Stamos arrives on the PINK Carpet for the premiere of "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" on November 3. Stamos shared his thoughts on the recent Manchester bombing alongside a photo of a police officer speaking with a young child. File Photo by Chelsea Lauren/Hollywood Pantages Theatre
May 24 (UPI) -- John Stamos has shared his thoughts on the recent Manchester, England, bombing on Instagram as the actor is in the city for a concert with The Beach Boys.
"As I sit in my hotel room, less than half a mile from the attack, I can't help but think of these young kids who just wanted to go to a concert and sing and dance and be taken away if just for the night," the Fuller House star wrote Tuesday alongside a photo of a police officer speaking to a young child while sitting on a bench.
"I was one of those kids doing the same when I was young hanging out at Beach Boys shows. The songs may be different... but it's the same joy those young kids felt Monday night in Manchester," he continued. "Concerts are one of the greatest experiences in life -- they are enduring symbols of freedom and liberty. You cheer, you sing, you dance. You leave exhausted and exhilarated at the same time. You remember every show you attend. They're all special. I think of all those parents who surprised their kids with tickets and my heart aches.
"I think of all those fans and how important that show was to them. My heart aches for the victims, their families and music fans everywhere," he said before explaining the meaning behind the photo. "How do we explain this to kids? How do you make sense of such a horrific tragedy? For a moment, I was comforted by the sight of a police officer comforting a young child.
"It reminded me that compassion and love will always conquer hate. I will play with The Beach Boys tomorrow night in memory of all those we lost and as a prayer for the strength to carry on in these troubling times. Manchester will be in my heart now and always," the 53-year-old concluded.
A suicide bomber killed 22 people people and injured 59 others at Manchester Arena Monday following an Ariana Grande concert in what British police are treating as a terrorist attack.
Grande, who was unharmed during the incident, tweeted that she was "broken" and added, "From the bottom of my heart, I am so so sorry. I don't have words." The singer was on tour to promote her 2016 album Dangerous Woman. She was scheduled to perform on Thursday at the O2 Arena in London, but the tour has been suspended.
A number of pop stars including Taylor Swift and Demi Lovato shared their condolences on Twitter with Lovato writing, "Tearing up imagining innocent concert goers losing their lives.. praying for everyone and all #arianators."
British police identified the suspected attacker Tuesday as Salman Abedi, a 22-year-old British citizen of Libyan descent, a European intelligence official said.
