EXCLUSIVE Counter-terror police probe whether crossbow attack that injured two women 'motivated by incel ideology'
Counter-terror police probing a crossbow attack on a popular student pub run said to have been fuelled by 'misogynistic rage' are examining whether it was motivated by incel ideology, sources said today.
A 38-year-old 'key suspect' remains under police guard in hospital in a critical condition after sustaining a self-inflicted injury in Saturday's terrifying daylight rampage in Leeds.
Detectives probing the attack in which at least two women were targeted – one of whom suffered life-threatening injuries - have been analysing a Facebook post outlining plans for 'The Otley Run massacre'.
It describes the 'attack type' as 'spree killing, mass murder, terrorism', motivated by 'revenge' and 'misogynistic rage' - and adds the user had 'explored far-Right ideas'.
Facebook's parent company, Meta, has deactivated the account in question.
Police have stepped up patrols amid a widespread sense of shock in the popular student area, with West Yorkshire's deputy mayor for policing and crime sending a message to 'women and girls' that 'we're here for you'.
Whether the suspect was motivated by incel ideology 'forms part of the inquiry', a security source said yesterday.
However the misogynistic movement – short for involuntary celibate – can overlap with other ideologies and the motivation remains unclear, they added.
Pictured left to right: A break barrel air rifle that fires lead pellets and a crossbow left at the scene
MI5 have also been helping counter-terror police with routine background checks as in any such incident, the source said.
It comes as Mail Online revealed yesterday that students may have initially mistaken the attacker for a reveller in fancy dress - and carried on drinking.
One of the two women hurt in Saturday's attack - aged 19 and 31 - suffered life-threatening injuries.
She was in a stable condition last night following surgery, while the other victim has been discharged.
Just minutes before Saturday afternoon's attack, the Otley Road area of Leeds was packed with students in fancy dress - some as the Pope - queuing to get into packed-out pubs.
More than 15 pubs are on the Otley Run route in the Headlingley area of the city and it is attempted by groups of students and residents, as well as stag and hen dos, often in fancy dress.
Shocking footage later emerged of a man strolling along a street carrying bulky items in both hands.
Two weapons - a crossbow and a firearm - were recovered from the scene.
Police have been guarding a modern block of flats less than a five-minute walk away where the suspect is understood to live.
A neighbour said: 'I think it was a cry for help.
'He was not a bad guy.'
The neighbour added: 'The police have been there all night.
'Those poor girls are never going to be the same.'
Speaking out to reassure women in Leeds yesterday, Alison Lowe, deputy mayor of West Yorkshire for policing and crime, said: 'The suspect injured themselves and is now in hospital under police guard so the threat has been eliminated.'
Saying the public would see an increased police presence across the Headingley area of Leeds, she told the BBC that officers knew people there were 'very frightened'.
'I would be scared if I had witnessed or been close to an incident of that magnitude,' she added.
'All I can say to those women and girls is that we're here for you. We're increasing those patrols.'
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has said her thoughts were with the victims, adding that she was being updated.
Yesterday Detective Chief Superintendent James Dunkerley, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing North East, said: 'The investigation continues and officers are working at pace to establish the full facts and circumstances of Saturday's incident.
'We are not currently seeking anyone else in connection with this matter, which has caused understandable concern.
'We believe it was an isolated incident.'
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