Canadian suspected of killing traffic cop
The gunman who killed a Leeds policeman and injured another claimed he was from Canada, according to reports.
West Yorkshire Police are hunting for the man who shot dead Pc Ian Broadhurst, a 34-year-old married man, gunned down on Boxing Day in Leeds after he stopped a stolen car.
Work colleague and 45-year-old father-of-two Neil Roper, from Wakefield, was seriously injured in the incident.
The man’s voice was caught on tape before he opened fire.
But a spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said it was not certain whether the accent used by the man was authentic.
Police hope to improve the sound quality of the audiotape and will broadcast it in a public appeal.
Det. Supt. Chris Gregg told a news conference in Leeds: “The man’s voice is very low, it is difficult to hear what he is saying, but he is talking in a calm and controlled manner, choosing his words carefully and sparingly.
“The officers can be heard asking the man where he was born, and he says ‘Canada.’ They ask him how long he has been in Leeds and he says ‘for awhile.’ “
The shooting took place after the two traffic policemen spotted a stolen BMW parked partly outside a betting shop in Roundhay, Leeds.
The police officers – after discovering the vehicle had false number plates – escorted the driver to their police car, placing him in the back seat.
But as Pc Roper opened the back door to handcuff the suspect, the assailant produced a pistol and shot each policeman several times.
A third policeman was also fired at by the gunman. PC James Banks, 26, a local patrol officer, saw a bullet go through his radio and ricocheted on to the buckle on his baton. He was unhurt.
A GBP25,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the killer of Pc Ian Broadhurst.
Police say the gunman is “exceptionally dangerous” and appeared experienced in using firearms, and was most likely shooting to kill.
Det Supt Gregg on ITV Weekend News appealed for information about the suspect.
‘We’re appealing for any information which can help identify this particular man, by way of his accent, or assumed accent, his interest in, it would seem, in racing, betting, his possession of this black BMW.’
