A GUNMAN who shot two police officers lived at home with his parents in an upmarket area of Huddersfield.

Alexander Edward Lawton, 28, is believed to have shot himself in the head after going on a rampage in Ripponden pub the Fleece Inn on Monday.

Police wanted to question Lawton about the execution-style murder of Zubair Munir, of Thornton Lodge, whose body was found by ramblers on Sunday dumped on the moors above Ripponden.

Mr Munir had a single gunshot wound to the head and police have confirmed they are now not looking for any other suspects.

The 20-year-old Mr Munir had a previous conviction for possession of a class A drug.

Lawton lived in the large detached family home with dad Michael and mum Susan, in Almondbury Close, Almondbury.

The family moved there a few years ago from Slaithwaite.

Today it emerged how Lawton had enjoyed a private education at Rishworth School, near Ripponden, and had gone on to achieve a university degree.

Michael Lawton is a well-established and respected Huddersfield businessman.

Mr Lawton and his brother Ronnie set up Lawton Electrical, at Meltham Mills, 12 years ago. The pair are joint managing directors.

The company was formed after the family's former business Tom S Lawton, on Chapel Hill, went into receivership in 1993.

Today Michael's brother Ronnie was returning from a holiday to be with the family. He had been in Spain, then France.

A spokesman for Lawton Electrical said: "I spoke to the family last night and they are obviously devastated.

"It has been an absolute tragedy. The upset that has been caused cannot be put into words.

"They are a very close and respected family who kept themselves to themselves. This was so out of character.

"All the staff here are shocked and really feel for the family.

"We are looking after the business at the moment. Business has to go on."

Lawton, who had an older brother, 38-year-old Stuart, died in Bradford Royal Infirmary at lunchtime yesterday.

Police had already quizzed him on three separate occasions about Mr Munir's disappearance on April 10.

But when he was approached by officers in the children's play area of quiet family pub The Fleece, in Elland Road, he started firing a handgun.

Police confirmed today that Lawton was known to them before these incidents - but not for drugs offences.

Though he was found in a red Peugeot with critical head injuries, he was known to have previously been driving a silver Ford Mondeo estate car, registration number YR04 WYB and police are anxious to talk to anyone who might have seen it, either in Thornton Lodge or in Ripponden.

A post mortem has confirmed Lawton died of a single gunshot wound to the head.

Tests are still being carried out on the gun found in the car with him.

Today a neighbour, who asked not to be named, spoke of her shock at the news.

"The family have lived here for about six years and are very quiet," she said.

"This is a very nice area and I certainly did not expect it around here - I am just stunned."

Two officers, a 39-year-old man from Keighley and 43-year-old woman from Bradford, were shot - one in the stomach and the other in the leg.

Incredibly both were well enough to be released from hospital after only minor treatment later on Monday evening.

Police pursued Lawton who fled in his car. He escaped but was found three hours later in Hall Lane, Northowram, Halifax, with a single gunshot wound to his head.

He had been staying at the pub since Friday and told staff he was waiting for his new home to be finished before he could move in.

Speaking to the Examiner yesterday, Det Supt Paul Kennedy, the senior investigating officer with West Yorkshire Homicide and Major Inquiry Team, said the gunman was not originally the main suspect.

"When the two officers went to the Fleece the man was under suspicion of being on the peripherals of the inquiry," he said.

"He had spoken to the female police officer just the day before. The pair did have a relationship before this incident.

"After this shooting though we are not looking for anybody else in connection with the murder of Zubair Munir.

"But the investigation does continue as to how these men came about their deaths.

"This was not a random attack. The people involved knew each other and I doubt the general public have anything to fear at all."

A post mortem was expected to take place today and the coroner has been informed.

Det Supt Kennedy asked for help with the inquiry.

"I would like to appeal to anyone who may have seen or spoken to the man after he left the public house and before the discovery of the car about seven miles away in Northowram to get in touch with us," he said.

"I would also urge anyone who may have seen the car being driven around during the last few days to come forward. The car is a red Peugeot 106, registration number P689 UWW."

Anyone with information should contact police on 01422 337100.

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