A man armed with an AK47 caused chaos in Merseyside, leading to a nine-hour manhunt that left the community in shock and fear.
Liverpool: A year ago, the city was rocked by a shocking incident. A man in flip flops, armed with an AK47, was on the loose. It was a terrifying night for everyone.
Leslie Garrett, the man behind the chaos, had been struggling for a while. He lost his job as a security guard due to his drinking. That night, he was fueled by rum and anger.
He started his rampage at a newsagents, firing shots and then heading to a pub, showing off the gun to stunned patrons. People thought it was a joke at first, but it quickly turned serious.
Garrett had a troubled past. He faced a lot of trauma in his life, including the loss of family members. This all built up inside him until it exploded that night.
He had even called emergency services a month before, saying he was done with life. Sadly, no one took it seriously. After being homeless and losing his job, he was in a dark place.
When he found the AK47, it was like a switch flipped. He started drinking heavily and, after an argument with his partner, he went on his spree. He entered shops, fired shots, and terrified everyone around him.
At one point, he even fired shots in the air outside a cinema, causing panic among moviegoers. The police quickly responded, but Garrett managed to evade capture for hours.
Eventually, he was found at his mother’s house. When the police arrived, he was aggressive and uncooperative. They had to use a taser to subdue him, ending the nightmare.
In court, Garrett admitted to all charges. He claimed he wanted the police to shoot him, but experts disagreed on his mental state. He was sentenced to 14 years in prison, with the judge noting that his actions were driven by anger and alcohol, not suicidal intent.
This incident left a mark on Liverpool, reminding everyone of the fragility of safety in their community. It was a night that many will never forget.
