LONDON — A 26-year-old man, Kyle Clifford, has pleaded guilty to the horrific murders of a mother and her two daughters in a crossbow attack that occurred last year just north of London. Prosecutors revealed that Clifford fatally shot his 25-year-old ex-girlfriend, Louise Hunt, and her sister, Hannah Hunt, aged 28, before stabbing their mother, Carol Hunt, aged 61, to death on July 9. During the video-link appearance at Cambridge Crown Court, Clifford confessed to three counts of murder, one of false imprisonment, and two counts of possession of offensive weapons, specifically the crossbow and a 10-inch knife. He has pleaded not guilty to the charge of raping Louise Hunt.

The tragic event took place in a peaceful neighborhood in Bushey, northeast of London, where police and ambulance crews found the three women with serious injuries. Despite efforts to revive them, they were pronounced dead at the scene. A manhunt was launched for the suspect, who was eventually discovered injured in a cemetery in Enfield, north London, having inflicted wounds on himself with the same weapon.

Following the brutal incident, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper indicated that there might be a pressing need for tougher laws on crossbow ownership, yet no formal proposals have emerged. In the UK, individuals do not require a license to own a crossbow; however, it is illegal to carry one in public without just cause. This particular weapon has gained notoriety, being involved in several high-profile crimes in recent times. Notably, in December 2021, a man armed with a loaded crossbow attempted to breach Windsor Castle with intentions to murder Queen Elizabeth II, resulting in a treason charge and a nine-year prison sentence for the assailant.

As the community grapples with this tragedy, discussions surrounding the safety of crossbow ownership are expected to intensify. For further reading, visit the Associated Press and the Times of India.