Plymouth shooting: Child among six people killed as others treated in hospital
A "critical incident" is declared after a shooting in Plymouth's Keyham neighbourhood leaves six people dead and others in hospital.
Friday 13 August 2021 11:45, UK
A child is among six people who have died after a shooting in Plymouth, one of the city's MPs has said.
Devon and Cornwall Police has confirmed two females and two males were found dead at the scene in Keyham - along with a man who is believed to be the suspected offender.
All are believed to have died from gunshot wounds.
Another female who was treated at the scene, also for gunshot wounds, died later in hospital.
Police have named the suspected gunman as 22-year-old Jake Davison, who is thought to have killed five others before turning his gun on himself.
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Luke Pollard, MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, wrote on Twitter: "I'm utterly devastated that one of the people killed in the Keyham shooting was a child under 10 years old."
He also confirmed that more people were being treated for their injuries in hospital.
Speaking to Sky News on Friday morning, Mr Pollard described the incident as "utterly devastating" and said the police were still trying to piece together what happened.
He said he is hoping we will learn more when police issue a statement later today.
Officers were called to Biddick Drive at about 6.10pm last night.
South Western Ambulance Service said Hazardous Area Response Teams, multiple ambulances, air ambulances, multiple doctors and senior paramedics were also sent to the scene.
Police declared a "critical incident" but stressed the shooting was not terror-related and they are not looking for anyone else in connection with what happened.
The next of kin of those who died have been informed.
Police officers and marked patrol cars were stationed at cordons on roads near the scene.
People who lived locally were not allowed into their homes.
One witness, who lives near the scene and gave her name as Sharron, 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."
Members of the public are being urged not to post or share footage from the immediate aftermath of the incident on social media.
Johnny Mercer, MP for Plymouth, Moor View, condemned the shooting as an "appalling act of violence", saying it will have "far-reaching effects throughout the community".
He told Sky News: "I know everybody says it but you just don't expect it to happen in Plymouth.
"Clearly there is a lot of work to do to support communities who saw some horrific incidents unfolding on their doorsteps yesterday."
Mr Mercer also described the incident as "one of our darkest days for many many years", and said he will "do everything to support our brilliant people at this time".
Boris Johnson has reacted to the news, saying his "thoughts are with the friends and family of those who lost their lives and with all those affected".
He also thanked the emergency services for their response to the incident.
Home Secretary Priti Patel described the incident in the Devon city as "shocking" and said her thoughts were with all those affected.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer echoed her remarks, adding: "I pay tribute to our emergency services who ran towards events we'd all run from."
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has called the shootings a "tragedy" and said police will be having a "significant meeting" this morning to discuss the event.
Speaking to Sky News, he said his "thoughts are with the tragic loss of life and the families who've lost loved ones today".
"We can rule out terrorism from that event and I think it does underline the importance of issues such as gun control but also what's happening in people's homes up and down the country."