Plymouth shooting: "There were people in Keyham whose lives were affected forever"
Father David Way, from St Thomas Church in Keyham, has been reflecting on last year’s tragedy
Last updated 10th Aug 2022
A Plymouth Priest says they are "fully committed to always being there in Keyham", nearly one year on from the tragic shooting.
Father David Way, from St Thomas the Apostle Church, has praised the resilience of the people of Keyham – but adds that we cannot erase what has happened.
He says they are doing whatever they can to help: "I think for all of us, it was just a matter of being there. Whether that was us as a church, or as individuals, as human beings. It was being there, trying to go through what had taken place."
Following the incident in Keyham last year, St Thomas opened its doors for people to pay their respects to those who died in shooting, as well as those who were injured. They will do the same again this Friday (August 12).
WATCH: Father David Way from St Thomas Church in Keyham reflects one year on from the Plymouth shooting
Father Way says that there will be places for people to sit and talk, as well as areas that they will keep in as much silence as possible:
"The church - that’s what we’re there for. We were able to react very quickly because we’re always there. Most of the time we might be invisible to vast parts of the community, but we are always there and ready to react when needed.
"I can't know if that will help anybody, but it's all we can do to just have this very gentle marking, so people can just reflect.
"I was in the area where the terrible things happened recently and I was kind of thinking, it's just hard to even now 12 months on to imagine what took place in those places, and to think about what could have been or what might have been.
"So, we’re providing a space where people can just spend some time thinking about that if need be."
Plymouth lost five lives following the incident in Keyham last year - two others were injured.
This Friday, people will come together to mark exactly one year since the tragedy, with a vigil taking place for the Keyham community in North Down Crescent Park at 7.00pm.
The wider Plymouth community will also be able to pay their respects and light candles near Smeaton’s Tower at the Hoe from the same time.