Jo Cox, a 41-year-old member of the United Kingdom’s Parliament, died Thursday about an hour after being shot and stabbed on the street, according to CNN. The attack has shocked Great Britain.
At a press conference, police announced that they have 52-year-old Tommy Mair in custody in connection with the shooting. They are currently investigating the claim that he shouted “Britain first” during the attack, which is the name of a far-right political party. According to the Guardian, Mair also had Nazi regalia in his home. BuzzFeed News reports that authorities are not looking for anyone else in connection with the attack.
Prime Minister David Cameron took to Twitter to share his condolences.
PM on Jo Cox: We’ve lost a great star. Jo was a great campaigning MP with huge compassion & a big heart. My thoughts are with her family.
— UK Prime Minister (@Number10gov) June 16, 2016
As a mark of respect for Jo Cox MP our flag is flying at half-mast over Number 10 today pic.twitter.com/vpiOEBXOKH
— UK Prime Minister (@Number10gov) June 17, 2016
PM: In tribute to Jo Cox we must drive out hatred, division & intolerance where we find them https://t.co/jJghcmyW40 pic.twitter.com/TENj2Y3V91
— UK Prime Minister (@Number10gov) June 17, 2016
Jo’s husband Brendan Cox released the following statement:
“Today is the beginning of a new chapter in our lives. More difficult, more painful, less joyful, less full of love. I and Jo’s friends and family are going to work every moment of our lives to love and nurture our kids and to fight against the hate that killed Jo.
Jo believed in a better world and she fought for it every day of her life with an energy, and a zest for life that would exhaust most people.
She would have wanted two things above all else to happen now, one that our precious children are bathed in love and two, that we all unite to fight against the hatred that killed her. Hate doesn’t have a creed, race or religion, it is poisonous.
Jo would have no regrets about her life, she lived every day of it to the full.”