Otley run crossbow attack suspect dies, police confirm

The suspect in the Leeds crossbow attack, who police announced earlier had died of a self-inflicted wound, wrote a hate-filled online manifesto hours before the assault.

Owen Lawrence, 38, was arrested and taken to hospital, where he died, following the attack on the popular Otley Run pub crawl in Headingley on Saturday.

A Facebook post seen by the BBC and understood to have been created by Mr Lawrence detailed plans for the “The Otley Run Massacre” and listed “students, nightclub goers, “neurotypicals” and “police” among targets.

The post described the planned violence as “terrorism, revenge and misogynic rage”.

Two women, aged 19 and 31, were taken to hospital for treatment following the attack, with one later being discharged.

In the online post, reference was made to a “manifesto” written by the man who killed 51 people during shootings at a mosque and Islamic centre in Christchurch, New Zealand in 2019.

The post also contained reference to weapons, including a crossbow and airgun.

Counter Terrorism Policing North East (CTPNE) said it was believed that Mr Lawrence, from Headingley, was acting on his own and they were not currently seeking anyone else.

They said officers were continuing to “conduct a thorough and extensive investigation to establish the facts and circumstances around the incident”.

Det Ch Supt James Dunkerley, from CTPNE, said: “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.”

Police were called to Otley Road just after 14:45 BST after reports of a man seen with weapons.

The Otley Run is an informal 19-stop drinking route spread over three miles along Otley Road and is popular with the thousands of students at the city’s universities.

A crossbow and a firearm were recovered from the scene, police had previously said.

The 19-year-old victim underwent surgery after suffering life-threatening injuries and remains in a stable condition in hospital.

West Yorkshire Police’s Ch Supt Steve Dodds said: “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.”

The attack had prompted calls for better security around the route of the pub crawl.

Headingley Labour councillor Jonathan Pryor, who is also deputy leader of Leeds City Council, said the authority was looking at ways to make it safer.

“It’s not a formal event, it’s just a pub crawl – but there is always a huge amount of people,” he said.

“But there aren’t the same security measures you would get at a football match or Leeds Carnival. That’s something we need to look at.”