Two women were gunned down with crossbows in a chilling attack that has left Headingley reeling in fear

The leafy streets of Headingley turned into a chilling crime scene as a silent weapon of terror left two women hospitalised and an entire neighbourhood in shock. In broad daylight, in what should have been a quiet Monday afternoon, residents were instead confronted with a scene out of a nightmare — one involving crossbows, screams, and an attacker on the loose.

Just after 12:30pm, emergency services swarmed the area, responding to reports that two women had been shot. Both victims were found seriously injured but still alive. They were rushed to hospital by paramedics. Their conditions, while serious, are not believed to be life-threatening.

The attacker had vanished by the time police arrived, sparking an urgent manhunt. Armed officers scoured the area, helicopters circled overhead, and forensic investigators moved in swiftly. Police have not made any arrests, and the motive remains a mystery.

Local MP Alex Sobel didn’t mince his words. Speaking in Parliament, he branded crossbows “lethal weapons” and demanded an immediate review of legislation. “They should not be freely available. We must act before another attack occurs,” he warned.

The crime scene sits near the heart of Headingley — a usually peaceful suburb known more for cricket and students than for violent assaults. Yet, the incident has now shaken the community to its core.

Residents, still reeling from the ordeal, described the fear and confusion. “You just don’t expect this kind of thing here,” said one woman, who watched from her kitchen window as armed police stormed the street. “It was like something from a film.”

Another man, who asked not to be named, added: “There was shouting, then silence. Then sirens. It was surreal.”

Although police have not revealed the exact type of weapon used, a crossbow bolt was visible lodged in one of the pavements cordoned off by police tape. Crossbows, currently legal to purchase in the UK without a licence if over 18, have long been controversial. Campaigners and MPs have warned repeatedly about the dangers of unregulated access.

This attack may now serve as a turning point.

“The government must close this loophole,” said one local councillor. “Crossbows are silent, deadly, and impossible to defend against. How many more people must be harmed before we act?”

The shock of the event is compounded by its randomness. The victims were not engaged in any known dispute, and police have not confirmed if they were known to the attacker. That ambiguity has fuelled unease, with fears it could happen again.

Despite the horror, residents also spoke of acts of kindness and courage. Passers-by rushed to help the wounded women, offering first aid and comfort until emergency crews arrived. Their bravery, in the face of a weapon that kills in silence, has been widely praised.

As forensic teams continue combing the scene and detectives work to establish a timeline, the community is left asking how such a thing could happen — and what must change to stop it from happening again.

For now, the streets of Headingley remain tense. Police patrols have been stepped up. Residents are watching their backs. And across the country, questions are growing louder: Why are crossbows still so easily available — and who will be next?