UK police examine Facebook posts following weekend's attack involving crossbow

LONDON

Facebook posts believed to contain plans for a "massacre" are examining by counter-terrorism police who are investigating Saturday's attack in Leeds, northern England, involving crossbow and firearm, according to media reports.

Three people, including two women aged 19 and 31, were injured on April 26 in a "serious incident" in Otley Road, Leeds, involving a man seen with weapons, the Counter-Terrorism Police said in a statement on Sunday.

The police said the third injured person, a 38-year-old man, was arrested and taken to a hospital due to a self-inflicted injury.

"We can confirm this man is the key suspect, and he remains in hospital in a critical condition," it added.

Meanwhile, officers recovered a crossbow and a firearm from the scene.

Head of Counter Terrorism Policing North East, Detective Chief Superintendent James Dunkerley, said the investigation continues but they believe this was an isolated incident and they are not currently seeking anyone else in connection with the incident.

The Guardian reported on Sunday that the police are also examining several Facebook posts – including one that appeared to include plans for a "mass-murder" attack – to determine if they are linked to the attacker or the incident.

The posts listed as "targets" students, nightclub goers, and "neurotypicals," said the report, adding reference was made to a "manifesto" which was written by a man who killed 51 people during shootings at a mosque and Islamic center in New Zealand in 2019.

Facebook’s parent company, Meta, told the Guardian that it had taken action to remove an account apparently associated with the incident.