There has been an outpouring of support from MPs, local figures and people on social media after six were killed in a shocking gun attack in Plymouth.
Jake Davison, 22, opened fire in the Keyham area in what was said to be the worst mass shooting in the UK for over a decade. He shot and killed his 51-year-old mother, Maxine Davison, in a house on Biddick Drive before shooting three-year-old Sophie, her father Lee Martyn, 43, Stephen Washington, 59 and Kate Shepherd, 66. The gunman later turned the weapon on himself.
Witnesses described hearing gunshots with one saying she saw a man “randomly” start shooting at people.
One told the BBC: “Firstly, there was shouting, followed by gunshots – three, possibly four to begin with.
“This was when the shooter kicked in the door of a house and randomly started shooting… he ran from the house shooting as he ran and proceeded to shoot at a few people in the Linear Park up from the drive.”
Robert Pinkerton told the BBC he had “walked around the corner” and “bumped into a bloke with a shotgun”.
In a statement early on Friday morning, Devon and Cornwall Police said that the incident was not terror related.
The force’s chief constable Shaun Sawyer later added that Davison shot and killed a woman in a house before shooting dead the girl, her male relative and two others .He added the weapon used in the Plymouth shooting was described as a “pump action shotgun” and confirmed a firearm had been recovered from the scene.
Davison turned the gun on himself before firearms officers engaged him and police did not fire any shots, he confirmed.
Responding to the attacks, people issued their support for the victims and condemned the violence.
London mayor Sadiq Khan said:
Deeply saddened by the loss of life in Plymouth this evening. My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected and the emergency service workers responding to this tragic incident.
— Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan (@MayorofLondon) August 12, 2021
Defence secretary Ben Wallace said: “It’s a tragedy. My thoughts are with the tragic loss of life and families who have lose loved ones today”.
6 people have died in a shooting in #Plymouth
— Kay Burley (@KayBurley) August 13, 2021
Defence Sec @BWallaceMP says his thoughts are with the families who have lost loved ones. RC#KayBurley pic.twitter.com/pj4fBuzD8b
Home secretary Priti Patel said:
The incident in Plymouth is shocking and my thoughts are with those affected.
— Priti Patel (@pritipatel) August 12, 2021
I have spoken to the Chief Constable and offered my full support.
I urge everyone to remain calm, follow police advice and allow our emergency services to get on with their jobs.
While other politician,s including local MPs and Labour leader Keir Starmer, issued similar statements:
"The darkest day in Plymouth's history since the end of the second World War."
— Sky News (@SkyNews) August 13, 2021
Luke Pollard, MP for Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport, says Plymouth's Keyham neighbourhood has been "utterly devastated" by last night's shooting which left six dead.https://t.co/HsMXZXjsaY pic.twitter.com/CdXzHoKL5o
I am aware of a serious and tragic incident unfolding in Plymouth. Please obey all instructions from the Police and do not post rumour or speculation on social media. I will post news when I have it.
— Johnny Mercer (@JohnnyMercerUK) August 12, 2021
There’s much we don’t know about the shocking events in Plymouth. However it’s clear tragedy has hit Keyham.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) August 12, 2021
My thoughts are with the families and neighbours of those caught up in this nightmare.
I pay tribute to our emergency services who ran towards events we'd all run from.
Sending love and strength to the people of #Keyham & #Plymouth this morning. Lives horrifically lost and lives changed forever. Devastating for this community. https://t.co/p5Kg27XjFS
— Kim Leadbeater MP (@kimleadbeater) August 13, 2021
Plymouth Argyle FC tweeted: “Our hearts go out to victims of tonight’s tragic incident in our city, alongside their families, friends, and the wider Plymouth community.”
Our hearts go out to victims of tonight's tragic incident in our city, alongside their families, friends, and the wider Plymouth community. 💚
— Plymouth Argyle FC (@Only1Argyle) August 12, 2021
And others on social media expressed their support for the victims.
Thinking of all those affected by last night’s shootings in #Plymouth. Hug those we love a little harder today ❤️💔🙏 pic.twitter.com/AvpssI2nvA
— Moira Jenkins 🏴 and proud (@MoiraJenkins1) August 13, 2021
Terrible news about the Plymouth shooting .My heart goes out to the families of the victims and to the emergency service personnel attending at the scene
— Thelma Walker (@Thelma_DWalker) August 13, 2021
Thoughts with everyone in #Plymouth. ❤️
— Andrew Powell-Thomas (@authorAPT) August 13, 2021
This is the Plymouth I grew up near.
The Plymouth I went to Uni.
The Plymouth I met my wife.
The Plymouth family & friends live.
The Plymouth my boys love visiting. pic.twitter.com/Ai8Qg8cSTg
If you want to know how you can help police with their investigation in the wake of this shocking incident, click here.
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