British Member of Parliament Joanne Cox Killed in ‘Horrific’ Gun, Stabbing Attack
By LOUISE DEWAST
ABC News
A British member of Parliament was killed in a broad daylight shooting and stabbing after a town hall meeting at a library in West Yorkshire, England.
“Jo Cox, MP for Batley and Spenborough, was attacked and fatally wounded on Market Street,” temporary Chief Constable Dee Collins told a news conference.
A 52-year-old man was arrested, and police confirm that they are not looking for any other suspects in the horrific attack, around 1 p.m. local time. The suspect’s motives remain unknown.
Nearby, a 77-year-old man was attacked, suffering non-life-threatening injuries.
Crime Commissioner for West Yorkshire, Mark Burns-Williamson, told reporters that this was a localized incident, albeit with “much wider impact.”
Cox, 41, from the Labour Party, was campaigning for the U.K. to remain in the European Union ahead of a national referendum on the issue June 23, and she was known for her work on Syria-related issues.
Jeremy Corbyn, the leader of the Labour Party, said the country would be “in shock at the horrific murder” of Cox, a “much-loved colleague.”
In a statement he said, “The whole of the Labour Party and Labour family — and indeed the whole country – will be in shock at the horrific murder of Jo Cox today. Jo had a lifelong record of public service and a deep commitment to humanity. She worked both for Oxfam and the anti-slavery charity the Freedom Fund before she was elected last year as MP for Batley and Spen — where she was born and grew up.”
“We send them our deepest condolences. We have lost a much-loved colleague, a real talent and a dedicated campaigner for social justiceand peace. But they have lost a wife and a mother, and our hearts go out to them,” Corbyn wrote.
An eyewitness told Sky News that he saw a man in a baseball cap suddenly pull a gun from his bag.
Police presence in the area has been increased as a reassurance to the community.
Campaigning on the referendum has been suspended for the day because of the shooting.
On a visit to Gibraltar, Prime Minister David Cameron made a short statement, saying “My thoughts are with Jo’s husband, Brendan, their two children and their wider family. We’ve lost a great star. She was a great campaigning MP, with huge compassion and a big heart.”
Gabrielle Giffords, who represented Arizona’s 8th congressional district and survived an assassination attempt in 2011 wrote a short tribute to Cox on Twitter.
Absolutely sickened to hear of the assassination of Jo Cox. She was young, courageous, and hardworking. A rising star, mother, and wife.
— Gabrielle Giffords (@GabbyGiffords) June 16, 2016