How M62 police shooting victim Yassar Yaqub had covered his home with more than TEN security cameras - as cops reveal he had a 'gun' in car when he was killed
A SUSPECTED gunman shot dead by cops during a motorway swoop had previously been accused of a drive-by shooting.
Yassar Yaqub, 28, was shot three times through the windscreen of his Audi as police reacted to a tip-off that a “criminal was in possession of a firearm”.
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Armed officers opened fire seconds after penning in the unemployed dad of one as he tried to join the M62 in Huddersfield, West Yorks, on Monday evening.
The operation followed the launch of a manhunt by local cops after an officer was shot at outside a nightclub on Christmas Day. But sources said the two incidents were not linked.
Yaqub stood trial for attempted murder in 2010 after being accused of shooting at two rivals from a car in Huddersfield. He was acquitted due to lack of evidence.
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He was driving his Audi on to the M62 at 6pm on Monday when gun cops pounced.
A Mercedes E-Class, a BMW and a VW Scirocco were also still at the scene yesterday.
Witness Shahnaz Malik said: “There was a swarm of armed police and ambulances. You could see the bullet holes in the windscreen.”
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Three other men were arrested in the swoop. They remain in custody after being treated in hospital for injuries not linked to the shooting.
Two others were held in Bradford after officers there stopped another vehicle.
Last night, riot cops were drafted in after a mob protesting about the shooting brought a busy road to a standstill.
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The group carried banners — one of which read “Police don’t murder” — as they blocked Leeds Road in Bradford. The Independent Police Complaints Commission said last night a “non-police issue firearm” had been found in the car driven by Yaqub.
Forensic officers spent yesterday carrying out detailed searches of the motorway slip road behind giant screens. Four sets of keys were seen on the Audi’s bonnet, thought to be from the cars involved.
A post-mortem on Yaqub is due to take place today.
Armed officers also raided his family home as relatives arrived to comfort each other.
Family solicitor Amjad Hassan said: “Mr Yaqub’s family are distraught. They are fully aware the incident that led to the death of Mr Yaqub is being investigated by the IPCC.”
One pal said: “He would do anything to help anyone. He didn’t deserve this.”
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Yaqub’s house was covered by up to ten CCTV cameras. One neighbour claimed that he was a well-known drug dealer.
West Yorkshire Police confirmed five people had been arrested and the incident had been referred to the IPCC.
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