Bradford & District | Archive | 2005 | April | 20
From the Telegraph & Argus, first published Wednesday 20th Apr 2005.
The Bradford detectives shot by a gunman at a country pub had spoken to the man several times before their terrifying ordeal, it has been revealed.
A 43-year-old woman officer from Bradford and a 39-year-old man from Keighley, were injured as they tried to arrest a 28-year-old Huddersfield man at a pub in Ripponden on Monday in connection with a murder inquiry.
Neither of them was wearing body armour.
Both are members of the Homicide and Major Inquiry Team at Wakefield.
A police spokesman said the officers had no reason to believe the man was going to be a problem.
She said: "The female detective had spoken to him on a number of separate occasions and it was their decision on how they approached him.
"They had no reason there would be a problem in speaking to him again."
The woman was shot in the thigh and the man sustained stomach injuries after an argument broke out during the arrest. The gunman, Alexander Edward Lawton, 28, drove off after the shooting.
He was later found in a car in Northowram with a gunshot wound to the head. It appeared he had shot himself. He was rushed to Bradford Royal Infirmary where he died yesterday. The coroner has been informed.
A post mortem examination was carried out late yesterday.
Mr Lawton, of Almondbury Close, Huddersfield, was wanted in connection with the inquiry into the murder of Zubair Munir, also of Huddersfield, whose body was found on moorland near Ripponden on Sunday afternoon.
His car, a P-registered red Peugeot 106, was found in Hall Lane, Northowram, Halifax, and he was in the driver's seat. Forensic and ballistic examinations are continuing at the Fleece Inn and in the Hall Lane area of Northowram where the car was found.
Mr Munir's family have been kept informed of the investigation. Detective Superintendent Paul Kennedy said: "I would like to appeal to anyone who may have seen or spoken to the man between him leaving the public house and the car being found approximately seven miles away in Northowram to get in touch with us.
"I would also urge anyone who may have seen the car being driven around during the last few days to come forward. The car registration number is P689 UWW."
Anyone with information should contact the Homicide and Major Inquiry Team at Halifax Police Station on (01422) 337100.
© Newsquest Media Group 2008