A number of cars were damaged as their windows were shattered as the horror unfolded in a normally-quiet Kirklees community.
Tonight, West Yorkshire Police revealed that a man has been arrested after the incident in Skelmanthorpe, known locally by the nickname of ‘Shat’.
At 5.37pm today, police received reports of a man acting erratically, throwing rubbish and household items out of a car while driving dangerously in Huddersfield Road, Skelmanthorpe.
Further calls were received reporting that the man had got out the car and was firing a bow and arrow in the street and at passing vehicles.
A man could be seen in a passageway near St Aidan’s Charity Shop seemingly aiming the bow and arrow in the direction of passing cars.
Public concerns grew, with one person heard to say “He’s going to kill someone.”
While armed officers were being deployed to the scene, further information was received that the man had been restrained by members of the public. He was arrested by district officers at 5.58pm.
A police cordon was put in place near The Grove pub, at the junction of Huddersfield Road and Station Road.
No-one was injured in the incident, but damage was caused to a number of vehicles.
The 68-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon in a public place and remains in custody.
A number of scenes are currently in place in the vicinity of Huddersfield Road while detectives from Kirklees District CID are carrying out enquiries to establish the full circumstances.
Detective Chief Inspector Oliver Coates said: “We recognise that this incident will have caused understandable concern in the community due to the serious nature of it and the fact it occurred in a busy area and was witnessed by many people.
“We want to reassure people that it was safely brought to a conclusion without any injury being caused, and with the assistance of members of the public who intervened.
“We are carrying out enquiries to establish the full circumstances, and we would ask that people avoid unhelpful speculation at this time.
“An increased police presence will remain in the area this evening while the scenes are examined, and officers from the local neighbourhood policing team will be working to reassure people in the community and to keep key representatives informed and updated.
“We are already speaking to witnesses but are still keen to hear from anyone who witnessed any part of the incident or who has any information that could assist the investigation, particularly anyone with relevant mobile phone, dashcam or CCTV footage.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Kirklees District CID via www.westyorkshire.police.uk/livechat quoting crime reference 13260540484.