Six dead in Plymouth shooting, including suspect

Forensic officers in Biddick Drive in the Keyham area of Plymouth where six people, including the offender, died of gunshot wounds in a firearms incident Thursday evening.
Forensic officers in Biddick Drive in the Keyham area of Plymouth where six people, including the offender, died of gunshot wounds in a firearms incident Thursday evening.
Ben Birchall
Carl Bennett

By Carl Bennett


Published: 13/08/2021

- 05:35

Updated: 13/08/2021

- 11:01

The shooting tragedy in Plymouth has led to outpourings of sympathy and offers of help from across the local community.

A man suspected of killing five people in a mass shooting in Plymouth has been named locally as Jake Davison.

Devon and Cornwall Police said three females, two males and the suspect had died in the Keyham area of the city on Thursday evening.

One of those killed was a “small child” aged under 10, according to local MP Luke Pollard.

He added that people are receiving treatment in hospital, though police have yet to confirm the final figure of those injured.

Police said all six people are believed to have died from gunshot wounds and stressed the incident was not terror-related.

Davison appeared to post on a YouTube account under the name Professor Waffle just weeks before the massacre about how he was “beaten down” and “defeated by life”.

His channel was subscribed to gun-related accounts and another named Incel TV, which features content related to “involuntary celibacy”, although in one of his videos Davison said he “wouldn’t clarify myself as an incel”.

The online subculture involves men who express hostility and extreme resentment towards those who are sexually active, particularly women.

In another clip, he discusses missing out on a teenage romance and refers to “Chads”, an incel community term for good-looking men who attract women.

Forensic officers in protective clothing could be seen conducting fingertip searches at the scene on Friday morning, including examining road kerbs, while a coroner’s ambulance was filmed leaving the area.

Forensic officers in Biddick Drive in the Keyham area of Plymouth where six people, including the offender, died of gunshot wounds in a firearms incident Thursday evening.
Forensic officers in Biddick Drive in the Keyham area of Plymouth where six people, including the offender, died of gunshot wounds in a firearms incident Thursday evening.
Ben Birchall

Local MP Luke Pollard said more people were being treated for their injuries in hospital, and tweeted: “I’m utterly devastated that one of the people killed in the #keyham shooting was a child under ten years old.”

Emergency services were called to Biddick Drive in the Keyham area of the city shortly after 6pm on Thursday.

Witnesses described hearing gunshots with one saying she saw a man “randomly” start shooting at people.

In a statement early on Friday morning, Devon and Cornwall Police said: “Following attendance at the scene, two females and two males were deceased at the scene.

“A further male, believed to be the offender, was also deceased at the scene. All are believed to have died from gunshot wounds.

“Another female treated at the scene for gunshot wounds, died a short time later in hospital.

“All of the next of kin of the deceased have been located and informed by Devon & Cornwall Police officers.

“Devon & Cornwall Police would stress this is not a terrorism related incident.

“The area has been cordoned off and police are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.”

It urged the public with mobile phone footage of the “immediate aftermath” of the incident not to post it on social media and to “respect those families who have lost loved ones this evening”.

Police officers and marked patrol cars were stationed at cordons on Thursday night on roads close to the scene of the incident.

Scenes of crime officers in white suits could be seen using cameras in the street.

Members of the public who lived locally were not allowed into their homes.

One witness, who lives near Biddick Drive and gave her name as Sharron, said: “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.”

The South Western Ambulance Service said it was called at just after 6pm on Thursday and responded with a “significant number of resources”, including Hazardous Area Response Teams (HART), multiple ambulances, air ambulances, multiple doctors and senior paramedics.

Emergency services near the scene of incident on Biddick Drive, in the Keyham area of Plymouth, where Devon and Cornwall Police say there have been a \%22number of fatalities\%22 in a \%22serious firearms incident\%22.
Emergency services near the scene of incident on Biddick Drive, in the Keyham area of Plymouth, where Devon and Cornwall Police say there have been a "number of fatalities" in a "serious firearms incident".
Ben Birchall

Prime Minister Boris Johnson thanked the emergency services for their response to the incident.

He tweeted: “My thoughts are with the friends and family of those who lost their lives and with all those affected by the tragic incident in Plymouth last night. I thank the emergency services for their response.”

Home Secretary Priti Patel tweeted: “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.”

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer tweeted: “There’s much we don’t know about the shocking events in Plymouth. However it’s clear tragedy has hit Keyham.

“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.”

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