Police investigate Leeds ‘massacre’ plans as crossbow attacker dies following rampage

Owen Lawrence, 38, has been named as the key suspect following the incident, as police said they are not seeking anyone else in connection with the attack

Police are investigating a Facebook account that detailed plans to carry out a “massacre” on a Leeds pub crawl, as the man arrested over a crossbow and firearms incident in which two women were injured has died in hospital.

Owen Lawrence, 38, who died from self-inflicted injuries, has been named as the key suspect following the incident that unfolded during the Otley Run in Headingley at 2.47pm on Saturday.

Head of Counter Terrorism Policing North East, Detective Chief Superintendent James Dunkerley said officers would continue their investigation and asked if anyone had information that could assist them, to pass it onto police.

“We understand there are concerns around the incident, and questions about how and why this has happened. Our teams are committed to carrying out an in-depth investigation to provide answers to those affected,” he said, adding they were not seeking anyone else in connection with the attack.

“Our thoughts are with the victims, their families, and all those affected by this incident.”

Lawrence was arrested and taken to hospital on Saturday, while a crossbow and a firearm were recovered from the scene.

A 19 and 31-year-old woman were also injured. Police said on Sunday one of the victims had undergone surgery after suffering life-threatening injuries. She was on Sunday recovering in hospital in stable condition. The second victim was previously discharged from hospital.

Counter Terrorism police confirmed a Facebook account posting about an “Otley Run massacre” in which students, run participants, and police would be targeted, was being assessed as part of the investigation.

The account said the poster had also explored far-right ideologies, and had read material written by Brenton Tarrant, the man who carried out the March 2019 Christchurch massacre, in which 51 people were murdered.

The social media giant has now removed the account and is liaising police over the incident.

People were out running in their fancy dress for the pub crawl, which is seen as a rite of passage among students, involving 17 venues.

Local media had on the day cited an eyewitness who said that people had asked to hide inside the restaurant she worked at.

A woman who works at the Heaney & Mill restaurant told Leeds Live: “I was at work at a nearby restaurant and some girls were sitting outside. They asked if they could come in and finish what they were having because they’d seen someone with a crossbow.”

Leeds District Commander, Chief Superintendent Steve Dodds said he had boosted the visibility of police on the streets and key community events over the coming days.

“We fully appreciate the understandable shock and concern that this incident has caused in the Headingley community, and we are continuing to work closely alongside our partner agencies to support and reassure those living, working or studying in, or visiting the area,” he said.