A member of Britain’s Parliament has died after an attack Thursday. Jo Cox, a 41-year-old Labour Party MP who represented Batley and Spen (in West Yorkshire), had reportedly left a constituent meeting when a man shot and stabbed her repeatedly, leaving her bleeding body on the street. Emergency responders who rushed to the scene said she died of her severe injuries.
A 77-year-old man was also injured in the attack.
Police arrested a 52-year-old suspect, Tommy Mair, who was reportedly taken into custody not far from the site of the attack. Police also found a gun near the scene. At least one witness told police that the assailant shouted “Britain First,” which, per The Guardian, is the name of a far-right political party that grew out of the British National Party in 2011. However, other witnesses have told competing stories, including one man who told cops that Cox had gotten involved in a dispute between two men. Police are investigating and trying to piece together what happened.
Britain is hotly debating a referendum on its European Union membership — called the “Brexit” — which is supposed to take place June 23. Both sides are suspending their campaigning on the issue in light of the tragedy.
