In a tragic incident in London, an assailant killed the wife and two daughters of BBC radio racing commentator John Hunt in what police believe was a targeted crossbow attack. Authorities are urgently searching for 26-year-old Kyle Clifford from Enfield, North London, suspected of committing the murders in Bushey, just north of London, on Tuesday night.
Broadcasters identified the victims as Carol Hunt, 61, and her daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28, who all died at their home in the suburban town.
Local police, including armed officers and specialist search teams, have launched a manhunt focusing their efforts in North London and the Bushey area. Chief Superintendent Jon Simpson, overseeing the operation, urged the public not to approach Clifford and advised him to surrender to the police. Simpson described the attack as horrific, noting the use of a crossbow and possibly other weapons.
The incident has also triggered a security lockdown in the area, including at a primary school in nearby Enfield, where authorities kept children indoors during the search.
Interior Minister Yvette Cooper has expressed her shock at the events and confirmed that the incident is under scrutiny. Her department is reviewing the legislation on crossbow ownership, which currently requires no license in the UK, though carrying one in public without a reasonable excuse is illegal.
The attack’s shocking nature has resonated throughout the community and among colleagues at Sky Sports Racing and BBC Radio Five Live, where John Hunt is well-respected. Neighbours have described the family as friendly and pleasant, making the incident particularly distressing.
This event follows other recent crossbow-related incidents in London, underscoring potential concerns about the accessibility and control of such weapons in the UK.