DINERS and drinkers screamed and dropped to the floor when a gun-toting suspect in a gangland-style execution opened fire on police in a popular rural pub.

The man, who was being questioned over the murder of Zubair Munir, 20, of Thornton Lodge, shot two police officers and then fled from The Fleece in Ripponden on Monday afternoon.

The gunman, who had stayed at the chalet accommodation at the rear of the picturesque pub for three nights, booked in using a Capital One credit card and signed the guests' register as a Mr Lawton.

About 10 drinkers and one barman were in the pub at 4.10pm when two detectives approached Mr Lawton, who was seated in the children's area of the family-friendly venue.

Mr Lawton, a white man of medium height and build with dark hair, was sitting just feet from a `den' which contained a climbing frame and soft toys and was often filled with young children.

Luckily at that time on Monday it was empty.

It's believed detectives entered the pub after spotting his parked car.

A source said: "They went up to him and immediately a fight broke out and a table was knocked over.

"Shortly after gunfire was heard.

"Two police officers were shot and very soon afterwards the man made off in his car."

The source said drinkers in the pub were terrified and many were in shock at what had happened in the quiet retreat.

Philip Strong, managing director of the Chameleon Pub company which owns The Fleece, said the man had been very friendly during his stay.

He added: "He was a young man who had a lot to say for himself and enjoyed a drink.

"He told staff that he was moving to the area but his house wasn't ready so that's why he was staying.

"We had no reason to think otherwise."

Mr Strong said the barman who was on duty at the time was still too shocked to talk.

Mr Strong said the pub and chalet accommodation at the rear had been sealed off and searched by police teams.

He added: "You get people who come and stay in accommodation who don't come in to the bar.

"He came in and talked and had a drink. He seemed like a perfectly normal bloke."

Police discovered the man in his red P-registration Peugeot 106 with a serious gunshot wound to his head in Hall Lane, Northowram.

He died at lunchtime in Bradford Royal Infirmary yesterday.

Related articles: