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The investigation into a recent crossbow and firearm attack in Leeds, United Kingdom, has taken a chilling turn with the discovery of online posts believed to outline the suspect's plans for a "massacre." The incident occurred on Saturday, April 26, 2025, in the Headingley area of Leeds, leaving two women, aged 19 and 31, seriously injured. A 38-year-old man, now identified as Owen Lawrence from Headingley, was arrested at the scene with a self-inflicted injury and was taken to hospital in critical condition. Tragically, he succumbed to his injuries and died in the hospital on Tuesday, April 29, 2025.
Counter Terrorism Policing North East has taken the lead in the investigation due to the nature of the incident and the subsequent discoveries. Reports indicate that several Facebook posts, seemingly linked to Lawrence, are under scrutiny. These posts allegedly include disturbing content, with one described as containing plans for a "mass-murder" attack. The potential targets mentioned in these online writings reportedly included students, nightclub goers, and "neurotypicals." Furthermore, there are references to a "manifesto" and apparent allusions to the ideology of a man responsible for the deadly mosque shootings in New Zealand in 2019.
Law enforcement officials have confirmed the recovery of a crossbow and a firearm from the scene of the attack on Otley Road, a location known for its popular "Otley Run" pub crawl. While the investigation is still in its early stages, authorities believe that Lawrence acted alone and are not currently seeking any other individuals in connection with the incident.
The head of Counter Terrorism Policing North East, Detective Chief Superintendent James Dunkerley, stated that the investigation is ongoing and urged anyone with information to come forward. He acknowledged the understandable concerns within the community and assured the public that their teams are committed to conducting a thorough investigation to provide answers to those affected. West Yorkshire Police have also increased their presence in the area to offer reassurance to the local community.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has confirmed that they have taken action to remove an account apparently associated with the incident, highlighting the rapid response of social media platforms to potentially harmful content.
This incident has understandably caused significant concern and has prompted discussions about the accessibility of weapons like crossbows. In fact, even prior to this event, the UK government had been considering tightening regulations around the sale and ownership of crossbows. Just last week, amendments to the Crime and Policing Bill were tabled to strengthen age verification controls for both online sales and deliveries of such weapons. This renewed focus on regulation underscores the potential dangers associated with these items and the need for stricter controls to prevent future tragedies.
The investigation will likely delve into the timeline of the online posts, the extent of the suspect's planning, and his motivations. Understanding how these plans manifested online is crucial for gaining a comprehensive understanding of the events that unfolded and for informing potential preventative measures in the future. The community now mourns the impact of this violence and awaits further details as the investigation progresses.
Source@BBC