Gunman killed five before turning gun on himself in Plymouth shooting
A gunman and five victims have died in a mass shooting that took place in the Keyham area of Plymouth last night.
Devon and Cornwall Police released a statement confirming that two females and the three males, including the suspected gunman, had died at the scene. Another female, treated at the scene for gunshot wounds, died later in hospital.
The gunman, who police have confirmed is 22-year-old Jake Davison, killed a member of his own family at an address in Bidwick Drive before shooting a girl under the age of ten and her male relative.
Further along the drive he shot a man and a woman who remain in hospital with significant injuries.
Davison then entered adjacent parkland where he shot a man who died at the scene. He afterwards moved to Henderson Place where he shot a woman who was treated at the scene, but later died in hospital.
Davison, who was known to police as a licensed fire arm holder, then turned the gun on himself and was shot dead before armed officers arrived.
The Chief Constable for Devon and Cornwall police, Shaun Sawyer, described the incident as “particularly traumatic” and praised the swift response of officers who were at the scene within six minutes of receiving a call. He said: “I’m extraordinarily proud of my officers in their response.”
Luke Pollard, the MP for Plymouth Sutton & Devonport, said the attack was “unspeakably awful” and that he was “utterly devastated” to learn one of those killed was a child.
Home Secretary Priti Patel responded to the news in a tweet. She said: “The incident in Plymouth is shocking and my thoughts are with those affected. 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” she added.
The attack, which is the first mass shooting to take place in the UK for 11 years, is not believed to be terror related.
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