Assassination in England

[SirDuff]

I didn't see a thread about this yet (here or on the UK board - which doesn't seem very active, so I'm posting here).

Earlier today a 42-year-old MP in England was fatally shot and stabbed in West Yorkshire.

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-36550304

One eyewitness told the BBC they heard her attacker shout "put Britain first" at least twice beforehand.

If true, it could mean that she was targetted because she had been campaigning that the UK should do more to help Syrian refugees.

She leaves behind two small children (three- and five-years-old).

A post from her husband:

‘Today is the beginning of a new chapter in our lives’

‘More difficult, more painful, less joyful, less full of love. I and Jo’s friends and family are going to work every moment of our lives to love and nurture our kids and to fight against the hate that killed Jo.

‘Jo believed in a better world and she fought for it every day of her life with an energy, and a zest for life that would exhaust most people.

‘She would have wanted two things above all else to happen now, one that our precious children are bathed in love and two, that we all unite to fight against the hatred that killed her.

‘Hate doesn’t have a creed, race or religion, it is poisonous.’

‘Jo would have no regrets about her life, she lived every day of it to the full.’

 

[King Schultz]

How awful!

My heart goes out to her husband and children.

 

[superme80]

I saw that this morning. So sad.

 

[katie01]

How awful, I am so sorry to hear that

 

[Oreo Cookie]

Awful. My thoughts and prayers are with her family. Two children now growing up without their mom.

 

[Domo]

What makes this all the more shocking is that we never get shootings in the UK... so it's even more devastating in a twisted kinda way.

The shooter reportedly shouted "Britain First!" during his rampage, which could be a reference to the EU referendum taking place soon (the UK will be deciding whether or not to remain part of the European Union) and was seemingly or white British descent.

As a mark of respect, both sides of the EU debate have suspended campaigning for the next few days.

 

[MickeySP]

What makes this all the more shocking is that we never get shootings in the UK... so it's even more devastating in a twisted kinda way.

The shooter reportedly shouted "Britain First!" during his rampage, which could be a reference to the EU referendum taking place soon (the UK will be deciding whether or not to remain part of the European Union) and was seemingly or white British descent.

As a mark of respect, both sides of the EU debate have suspended campaigning for the next few days.

Wish that had happened here on both sides. Instead the are both using the tragedy to further agendas.

 

[JaneBanks]

What a shame. I'm so sorry to hear this. Her poor family.

 

[manning]

I thought England had strict gun laws and police didn't carry?

They do. Now they have to figure out about knife control.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Very saddened by this.

 

[SirDuff]

Out of respect, it would be nice if you confined your agenda to your own side of the pond.

This is a truly shocking thing to have happen. Time will tell what his mental history was, and just what triggered this attack. Prayers for his family.

Did you possibly mean prayers for HER family?

ETA - The ignore function is a wonderful thing.

 

[minnie mum]

Did you possibly mean prayers for HER family?

ETA - The ignore function is a wonderful thing.

OMG!! YES. Thank you. I edited my post.

 

[diz8297]

I am so sorry to learn of this. The epidemic of hate has to stop.

 

[SirDuff]

OMG!! YES. Thank you. I edited my post.

Easy typo. I have to admit that, after I posted, I was so worried that I was going to come back to "Don't tell me who I can pray for!". Not because I don't think that you should pray for whoever you want, but because I was worried that (if I were wrong), I'd have offended you deeply.

I am touched that both sides halted campaigning for a period of mourning. I read that one rally (sorry, don't remember exactly) that was scheduled for last night was converted into a memorial service for Jo.

 

[sunshinehighway]

Such an awful tragedy.,
I was just reading about it early. There are reports the killer had ties to a US neo-nazi group.
Its all just so disheartening.

 

[Domo]

What's really appalling was the ferocity of the act. He stabbed her, dragged her by her hair, shot her... the poor thing didn't stand a chance

 

[TLSnell1981]

So very sad

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

We are very shaken up by this here in the UK we do not have any official reason why the man did it yet. However I am pleased that the EU referundum campagins have been suspended as a mark of respect. It was all getting too much and far too nasty. May we have some peace at least for a few days and show her family some support. Not argue between us.

 

[manning]

What's really appalling was the ferocity of the act. He stabbed her, dragged her by her hair, shot her... the poor thing didn't stand a chance

Hand guns are completely banned in England. Would like to know how he got a hold of one. The seller should be thrown in jail.

 

[Domo]

Thomas Mair, charged with MP Jo Cox's murder, has given his name as "Death to traitors, freedom for Britain" in a UK court...