'Very young girl' among those murdered in Plymouth by 22-year-old gunman
Police have confirmed Jake Davison murdered five people
Last updated 13th Aug 2021
A 'very young girl' is among the victims of the five people shot dead in Plymouth last night (12th August) by 22-year old gunman Jake Davison.
Devon and Cornwall Police have confirmed some of the details of the incident in the Keyham area of Plymouth, including the name of the suspect - 22-year-old Jake Davison.
Davison shot and killed a woman at a property in Biddick Drive, Plymouth, before going outside and “immediately” shooting dead the girl and her male relative.
Devon and Cornwall Police Chief Constable Shaun Sawyer said: “This was a truly shocking event and was witnessed by members of the public.
“From there, Mr Davison entered adjacent parkland where he immediately shot a man who died at the scene"
After shooting and fatally injuring another woman in Henderson Place, Davison turned the weapon on himself, the force said
At a press conference in Plymouth on Friday, Chief Constable Shaun Sawyer said armed officers attended the scene but Davison had shot himself before they were able to engage him.
Two victims in hospital
The Chief Constable also told the press conference that two other people who were shot are being treated in hospital:
“Further along Biddick Drive he aimed and shot at two local residents – a man and a woman – who received significant but we understand, at present, not life-threatening injuries.”
My Sawyer confirmed they were the only non-fatal victims.
Firearm described as pump action shotgun
Mr Sawyer said a firearm – described by witnesses as a pump action shotgun – was recovered from the scene.
He added: “Multiple shots have been fired from a firearm during that six-minute-or-so period.
“There are some 13 scenes and potentially more scenes.
“There are therefore five people of Plymouth who have lost their lives overnight – and Mr Davison himself – including a particularly young child.”
Mr Sawyer said the victims’ identities will be made public at a later time.
Plymouth Shooter had a gun licence
Mr Sawyer confirmed Davison was a firearms licence holder and said “no motive” has been identified at present.
He added: “We are not considering terrorism or a relationship with any far-right group.”
Plymouth community is strong
The chief constable also praised the response of the emergency services and locals, adding: “The community of Plymouth is strong.”
He also urged people not to contact the police unless it is “truly an emergency”, adding: “We are now very, very busy.”
Local church to hold Requiem Mass
St Thomas Church on Royal Navy Avenue is one of a number of places that have opened their doors to the public today as a place of support.
Tonight - approximately 24 hours after the tragic death of six people - they will hold a mass in memory of the victims.
The first shooting in a decade
The mass shooting in Plymouth is the first in Britain for more than a decade.
In 2010, taxi driver Derrick Bird killed 12 people in Cumbria and injured 11 others before taking his own life.
Still described as one of the deadliest mass shootings in British history is the Dunblane massacre in March 1996, when Thomas Hamilton shot dead 16 pupils and a teacher at a Scottish primary school, as well as injuring 15 others, before killing himself.
Mass shootings tend to be defined as involving multiple targets and locations and are generally thought to involve three or more fatalities not including the gunman.
Minute silence to be held by Plymouth Argyle FC
Plymouth Argyle's League One match against Gillingham tomorrow (Saturday 13th August) will begin with a minutes silence in memory of the shooting victims.
In a statement online, they say they are "deeply shocked and saddened" by last night's events.
The club say they will also fly flags at half-mast.