Partner of crossbow victim says Leeds attack shows urgent need for restrictions
A woman whose partner was killed in a crossbow attack says the injuries inflicted on two women in the recent incident in Leeds is further proof that action is needed on the sale of these weapons.
Laura Sugden was commenting after counter-terror police announced that 38-year-old Owen Lawrence – the man suspected of carrying out a crossbow attack in the Headingley area of Leeds – had died.
Mr Lawrence, from Headingley, was taken to hospital on Saturday with a self-inflicted wound after two women were injured in Otley Road.
Ms Sugden was seriously injured in 2018 by a crossbow-wielding neighbour – coincidentally called Lawrence – who killed her partner Shane Gilmer.
Since that attack in the village of Southburn, East Yorkshire, Ms Sugden has campaigned to halt the unregulated ownership of crossbows.
She said she welcomed Government proposals outlined earlier this week designed to tighten the law around crossbow sales, but said on Wednesday that they need to go further.
Ms Sugden said: 'This recent attack in Headingley shows yet again how dangerous and accessible these weapons are.
'We've been campaigning for crossbows to be treated with the same seriousness as firearms, including licensing and police checks.
'Crossbows are devastating weapons – in some cases more dangerous than guns – and it's far too easy to get hold of one today.'
She said: 'While a total ban may not be feasible, we must have legislation in place that offers real protection and accountability.
'The latest proposals are a start, but we need real, meaningful action that stops tragedies like Shane's from ever happening again.'
Home Office minister Dame Diana Johnson said on Monday that amendments tabled to the Crime and Policing Bill aim to strengthen age verification controls on both the online sale and delivery of the weapon.
Dame Diana also expressed concerns about how people can go online and 'in a few clicks' buy a crossbow, as she signalled the Government intends to bring forward further measures.
Her remarks came during an urgent question about the incident in Leeds at the weekend in which two women, aged 19 and 31, were injured and a crossbow and firearm were recovered.
Ms Sugden's solicitor Gemma Vine, from Ison Harrison, said her client is encouraged by Dame Diana's comments but asked the Government to publish its response to the consultation on this issue which closed more than a year ago.
Ms Vine said: 'New, restrictive laws would mark a turning point after years of dedicated campaigning and offer some measure of closure for victims like Laura.
'More importantly, they would prevent further avoidable deaths and bring these dangerous weapons under proper control.
'With more lives now lost, we urge the Home Office to urgently publish its response and provide a clear plan and timetable for reform.'
Police believe Owen Lawrence was acting alone and say they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the Leeds attack.
His Facebook accounts are being examined as the investigation into what happened continues.
Posts on two accounts that appear to be linked to Lawrence include images of a gun and makeshift wooden knives, as well as a rambling entry setting out an apparent plan to kill people taking part in the Otley Road Run pub crawl.
Mr Gilmer, 30, died after his next-door neighbour, Anthony Lawrence, broke into his house in January 2018, and shot both him and Ms Sugden.
Lawrence was later found dead in a camper van in North Yorkshire.
Ms Sugden told a 2021 inquest that she went upstairs and found Lawrence in her daughter's bedroom, holding a crossbow.
She said Lawrence brought the already injured Mr Gilmer into the room and then shot her.
Ms Sugden, who was pregnant at the time, managed to pull the arrow out of her head but Lawrence took it from her and pushed it into her neck.
She told the jury that she pleaded with Lawrence and manged to escape as Mr Gilmer told her to get help, saying: 'Keep you and baby safe.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Los Angeles Times
an hour ago
- Los Angeles Times
L.A. sheriff's officials apologize, delete tweet calling Iranians ‘victims' of ‘tragic' bombings
On the same day the U.S. military bombed three nuclear sites in Iran, the L.A. County Sheriff's Department said on its social media channels their 'hearts go out' to Iranian 'victims.' The post sparked quick backlash — and a quick apology. It's unclear what time the initial message, which was on X, Facebook and Instagram, was posted Sunday. The department deleted the post from X and edited its Facebook and Instagram posts to remove the first two sentences. An apology issued Sunday evening referred to the original post as 'offensive and inappropriate.' According to a screenshot of the tweet from KTLA, the original post read, 'Our hearts go out to the victims and families impacted by the recent bombings in Iran. While this tragic event occurred overseas, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is closely monitoring the situation alongside our local, state, and federal partners.' The post also stated that, although there are no known threats to Los Angeles County, the department would be increasing patrol checks at places of worship and other sensitive locations throughout the county 'out of an abundance of caution.' The edited versions of the post on Instagram and Facebook exclude the first sentence of the original post and any mention of Iran, instead stating that the department is monitoring 'the situation overseas.' In its apology, the department said the post was made in error and did not reflect the views of Sheriff Robert G. Luna or the department. 'As a law enforcement agency, we do not comment on foreign policy or military matters. Our mission remains solely focused on protecting public safety and serving our diverse communities,' the statement continued. The department has launched an internal review to determine how the posts were created and published, and it is taking steps to strengthen 'social media oversight protocols,' the statement said.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Japan's Ishiba Calls for De-Escalation in Middle East
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba comments on the conflict in the Middle East after American bombers struck Iran's three main nuclear sites. "De-escalating the situation as soon as possible is what we think is the most important thing," Ishiba said on Sunday. (Source: Japan Pool via Associated Press)
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Multiple people dead, 2 missing after boat capsizes at vacation hotspot
Six people died and two others were injured when a boat capsized in California, with the Coast Guard searching for two additional individuals. The U.S. Coast Guard said in a statement that six people died when a boat capsized near the D.L. Bliss State Park at Lake Tahoe in Tahoe City, California on Saturday afternoon. An additional two people were injured and taken to a local hospital, according to the Coast Guard, which says the agency is looking for two more people who are missing. The incident happened on Saturday at 3 p.m. after law enforcement agencies received a report that 10 people were in the water, prompting the Coast Guard to send a response crew to the area. Human Remains Found In Sunken Boat Bring Closure To Texas Family's Alaska Tragedy In a Facebook post, the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office said it would resume search operations on Sunday morning. The sheriff's office said it wouldn't reveal the identities of individuals who died in the incident until their families have been notified. Read On The Fox News App The 27-foot gold Chris-Craft vessel reportedly capsized because of a large swell. Several People Hospitalized In Florida After Coast Guard Responds To Separate Holiday Boating Incidents According to the Coast Guard, winds at the time were just over 34 mph, with a 6-8-foot swell. The condition of the two people who were injured is unknown. SouthTahoeNOW reported that the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office received multiple reports from boaters on Saturday due to weather article source: Multiple people dead, 2 missing after boat capsizes at vacation hotspot
