The suspect in the Leeds weapon strike composed a Facebook statement of belief embracing prepare for “terrorism, revenge and misogynistic rage” that referenced the 2019 bloodbath in New Zealand, authorities think.
Owen Lawrence is thought to have actually fired the females, aged 19 and 31, on Saturday in Headingley prior to transforming a weapon on himself. Both females were required to healthcare facility, with one enduring deadly injuries.
The statement of belief, entitled “the Otley run massacre”, additionally mentions “neurotypical” individuals as targets, in addition to basic classifications such as “humanity” and “human race”.
In the social media sites message, the writer claims he has actually checked out the statement of belief of the reactionary mass killer Brenton Tarrant, that accomplished the bloodbath in Christchurch, New Zealand, in 2019. Tarrant eliminated 51 individuals in and near to 2 mosques.
The Facebook message information the strike kind as: “Mass murder, terrorism, revenge, misogynyic[sic] rage, homicide/suicide.”
Counter- terrorism authorities have actually taken the lead in examining after wrapping up that the suspect was most likely to have actually created the system. On Tuesday, they called Lawrence, 38, as their vital suspect after he passed away. One of his sufferers has actually been released while the various other remains in a secure problem, authorities stated.
In a declaration, counter-terrorism authorities in the north, which is leading the examination, stated: “We can confirm that the 38-year-old man who was arrested and taken to hospital on Saturday with a self-inflicted injury, has died.
“This man was the key suspect and we can name him as Owen Lawrence from Headingley, Leeds. We believe he was acting on his own and are not currently seeking anyone else in connection with this matter.
“Counter Terrorism Policing North East will continue to conduct a thorough and extensive investigation to establish the facts and circumstances around the incident. A file will be compiled and passed to the coroner.”
The Guardian comprehends Lawrence was unidentified to counter-terrorism authorities or the safety and security solutions as a suspicious in advance. The elderly nationwide organizer for counter-terrorism is still to proclaim the effort at a mass casualty strike as a terrorist event.
Lawrence lived hardly 200 metres off Otley Road and his last address was a level that has actually been plundered and browsed by authorities.
Jonathan Pryor, a Labour councillor for Headingley, stated: “The events in Headingley this weekend have deeply alarmed our community, not only the planned attack but the disturbing rise in violent misogyny too. We continue to hold the two women attacked in our thoughts as they recover.
“Every woman has the right to feel safe, and it’s essential we tackle any culture that normalises misogyny and opens the door to extremism.”
A weapon was recuperated from the scene, as was a weapon, with authorities attempting to identify exactly how their suspect acquired it.
The head of Counter Terrorism Policing North East, Det Ch Supt James Dunkerley, stated: “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.”
In an additional social media sites message from January, an account that seems connected to Lawrence checklists points that he dislikes. It begins with “gender equality”, the daytime drama Hollyoaks, bisexual partnerships, Islamic extremists, “feminists of all four waves”, “feminoids”, the truth skill program Pop Idol, “female empowerment”, “dumb” and “fat people”, and “normies”.
In this message and his intended statement of belief uploaded on Facebook, he referenced“the great replacement theory” This is a fraudulent reactionary case that white populaces are being changed in culture.
Material from the suspect’s digital gadgets is being checked out, as is his psychological health and wellness and neurological state.
Tracy Brabin, the mayor of West Yorkshire, stated: “My thoughts remain with the victims and wider community following the horrific incident in Headingley at the weekend.”
Counter- terrorism’s work significantly consists of individuals that have no clear ideological background, or where the reasons driving them to physical violence are uncertain.
A fortnight earlier, the Guardian disclosed that counter-terrorism authorities and the National Crime Agency had actually established a joint taskforce to deal with young men focused with physical violence online that is commonly additionally sustained by “strongly misogynistic” on the internet product.
