UK lawmaker Jo Cox is murdered, silencing Brexit debate

(June 17): Jo Cox, a British parliamentarian and advocate for the UK to remain in the European Union, was shot dead on Thursday as she met constituents, shocking much of the world and temporarily silencing the rancorous debate about membership of the 28-nation bloc.

It was the first killing of a member of Parliament in more than two decades, since the days of Irish Republican terrorism. All campaigning in the referendum, just a week away, was suspended. It is unclear when it will resume.

Cox, 41, was only elected to the House of Commons last year and was a passionate supporter of EU membership: The previous day her husband Brendan took their two young children out onto the River Thames to fly an “IN” flag from a motorboat.

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