Labour MP Jo Cox has died following a gun and knife attack in the street outside her constituency office.
The 41-year-old was reportedly shot three times by a man before she was repeatedly stabbed as she lay in a pool of blood.
The mother-of-two was rushed to Leeds General Infirmary and was being treated on a high dependency unit under armed guard following the daylight attack on Thursday afternoon.
But the popular MP for Batley and Spen died in hospital from her wounds, Yorkshire Police HQ confirmed.
Cox had held a weekly surgery in the town of Birstall but was set upon my a man in the street.
— Brendan Cox (@MrBrendanCox) June 16, 2016
Eye witnesses said the man shot her to the ground with an old fashioned pistol before calmly shooting her twice more in the face as she lay on the floor.
Witnesses claim the man then began stabbing the MP with a knife as passers-by tried to wrestle him away.
A 52-year-old man was arrested nearby by West Yorkshire Police and is currently being questioned.
As news broke of the horrific attack on the former aid worker, who is a member of the ‘Remain’ campaign, politicians of all stripes expressed their shock and offered their prayers for Cox and her family.
But after police confirmed the sad death of the British member of parliament, tributes began to pour in…
The whole of the Labour family, and indeed the whole country, is in shock and grief at the horrific murder of Jo Cox pic.twitter.com/obic5pOCS3
— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) June 16, 2016
https://twitter.com/sarahwollaston/status/743481585215881217
https://twitter.com/tsipras_eu/status/743481584297345024
BREAKING: British PM Cameron says death of Jo Cox a tragedy, calls her committed and caring Member of Parliament.
— Reuters (@Reuters) June 16, 2016
Absolutely horrific and shocking news about Jo Cox. All of my thoughts with her and Brendan.
— Ed Miliband (@Ed_Miliband) June 16, 2016
Rest in peace, British MP Jo Cox, and many thoughts to your family after today's attack. Violence must never be allowed to stop democracy.
— Anna Kinberg Batra (@KinbergBatra) June 16, 2016
Heartbreaking news. My thoughts and prayers for the family of Jo Cox. RIP.
— Simon Nixon (@Simon_Nixon) June 16, 2016
such horrible news to hear Jo Cox has died. RIP ❤️
— nick grimshaw (@grimmers) June 16, 2016
https://twitter.com/AdamCatterall/status/743481196563341312
