The father of Yassar Yaqub, the 28-year-old man fatally shot by police on the M62 near Huddersfield, has questioned whether officers intended to “assassinate” his son. Mohammed Yaqub, speaking to the Guardian, expressed his grief and demanded transparency from the authorities.
Yassar Yaqub was shot through his windscreen on Monday evening after armed police boxed in his white Audi sports car on the slip road at junction 24 of the M62 at Ainley Top. The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) confirmed that a suspected illegal firearm was found in the vehicle.
Mohammed Yaqub criticised West Yorkshire Police’s description of the operation as “pre-planned”, asking: “How can it be pre-planned? Pre-planned means that you’ve got intentions to assassinate someone and murder someone.” He insisted his son had no prior convictions for drugs or firearms offences, despite reports linking him to criminal activity.
The father questioned why police did not stop the vehicle earlier if public safety was at risk, and noted that his son was acquitted of attempted murder in 2010 and treated for shotgun wounds two years ago. He said the family is “heartbroken” and awaiting the post-mortem results.
Mohammed Yaqub also referenced the Mark Duggan case in London, suggesting peaceful protests may be necessary to obtain answers. “If it’s a peaceful protest there’s nothing wrong with that, as long as it’s peaceful,” he said.
