
Crossbow ‘terrorism' suspect shot himself with air gun
A man suspected of carrying out a crossbow attack in Leeds died after shooting himself in the head with an air gun, an inquest has heard.
Owen Lawrence, 38, was arrested after two women were seriously injured in an attack on Otley Road, Headingley last month.
However, he died three days later after being taken to hospital for a self-inflicted injury.
At the 10 minute hearing in Wakefield, Oliver Longstaff, the area coroner for Yorkshire West Eastern, gave the provisional cause of death as an 'air-gun injury to the head'.
Mr Longstaff said that a post mortem examination confirmed Lawrence had died at Leeds General Infirmary as a result of the 'self-inflicted gunshot wound'.
The coroner said there was a 'deal of investigation' still to be done in the case and adjourned the full inquest into his death to a later date.
Detectives said that Lawrence had been the prime suspect in the attack and believed he was acting alone.
His social media accounts were examined as an investigation into the violence was undertaken by counter-terrorism police.
Two women, aged 19 and 31, were shot with a crossbow and taken to hospital with serious injuries. One of the victims had to have surgery after suffering life-threatening injuries, although both have now been discharged.
A crossbow was recovered from the scene, as was a firearm, with police trying to determine how the suspect acquired the weapon.
The incident occurred on a sunny Saturday afternoon on April 26 with people out enjoying the Otley Run pub crawl.
More than 15 pubs are on the route, which is attempted by groups of students and residents, as well as stag and hen parties, often in fancy dress.
Social media posts on accounts that appear to be linked to Lawrence appear to outline his plans for the violence in what he called 'The Otley Run Massacre'.
The rambling post sets out plans to commit mass murder and kill people taking part in the local pub crawl, listing 'targets' as 'students, nightclub-goers, pub-crawlers, Otley Run participants, society, humanity, human race, neurotypicals and police, if I need to'.
Elsewhere, images on the accounts reportedly show him posing with a gun and makeshift wooden knives.
Suspect felt 'underprivileged'
Residents in the block of flats off Wood Lane, Leeds where Lawrence lived, a few minutes from the scene of the attack, said that he was a troubled character who felt 'underprivileged'.
His next-door neighbour said that Lawrence had struggled with his mental health and had drug issues.
He said: 'His thing with students might be a class thing. He felt underprivileged.'
Lawrence's former next-door neighbour said that he was ' very far-Right '.
Det Ch Supt James Dunkerley, the head of Counter Terrorism Policing North East, said: 'Officers will continue to conduct inquiries and we ask that, if anyone has information that may assist, to pass this to 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.'
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