POLICE are continuing to investigate the circumstances of a shooting in Keyham, Plymouth on Thursday evening (August 12), which has left six people dead, one of them a young girl.

Police were called shortly after 6.11pm on Thursday after shots were reported as being fired in the Biddick Drive area of the city.

Officers arrived at the scene within six minutes.

Firearms officers attended and two women and two men as well as the offender were all found deceased in the area.

The offender was reported deceased at 6.23pm.

An injured woman also died later at Derriford Hospital.

Those deceased were a 51-year-old woman who was known to the offender, a three year-old girl and a related 43-year-old man, a 59-year-old man and a 66-year-old woman who died later in hospital.

The 22-year-old offender who took his own life at the scene is believed to be 22-year-old Jake Davison who lived locally.

Two other people, a 53-year-old woman and a 33-year-old man who were known to each other, were injured at the scene and continue to be treated in hospital. Neither are seriously injured.

Devon and Cornwall Chief Constable Shaun Sawyer said: “This is a truly shocking and tragic incident which has seen five people and an offender lose their life.

“The impact on the local community of Keyham, the city of Plymouth and many communities across the country in which relatives of the deceased live will be felt for many months and years.

“I have already been involved in extensive discussions with Plymouth City Council and local community leaders earlier today and we are committed to playing our part in helping the community deal with the impact an event like this brings.”

Mr Sawyer added that 13 scenes of crime were being investigated.

Jake Davison was a licensed firearm holder, the circumstances of which will now be subject to full, independent investigation and scrutiny.

Chief Constable Sawyer added: “I am immensely proud of how my officers dealt with the initial call and response to what was described as an extremely distressing scene.

“Both non-armed and armed officers attended within six minutes to what was a very fast moving event.

“We will now take whatever time is necessary to examine some 13 scenes within the immediate area. This may cause some disruption to the local community, for which we apologise, but there must be a forensic analysis to piece together any evidence possible.

“This was a deeply traumatic event and I know local people will be worried and concerned.

“Anybody wanting support can contact the Victim Support’s National Helpline on 0808 1689 111.

“We will continue to talk and listen to our communities and support them in any way we can over the coming days and weeks.”

Devon and Cornwall Police have established a dedicated telephone line for anyone with information concerning Thursday’s incident to contact.

Any witnesses or anyone with information can contact 01752 487887.

THOUGHTS WITH PEOPLE OF PLYMOUTH 

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has said her “thoughts are with the people of Plymouth” after the tragic shooting in the city.

Commissioner Alison Hernandez, who has been in Plymouth today (Friday) to offer victim care advice to people in the city, said: “My thoughts are with the relatives of the deceased, those injured and the people of Plymouth after this horrendous and tragic incident.

“I would like to pay tribute to the hard work of our blue light services yesterday evening who have done all they can to deal with those directly affected and get the injured the best possible medical care.

“Anyone affected by what has occurred this evening can make contact with the Victim Support services commissioned by my office. Those services are available 24 hours-a-day on freephone 0808 1689111 or via live WebChat on: victimcaredevonandcornwall.org.uk .”

THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS

The Bishop of Plymouth, the Rt Rev Nick McKinnel, said following the shooting: “Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone who has been injured or bereaved by this terrible shooting in Plymouth.

“It is horrific to think of it happening in our own city. St Thomas Church in Keyham and St Mark’s Church in Ford are open for anyone who would like somewhere to pray and reflect and someone to talk to.

“We stand with the community of Keyham. We are working alongside other local organisations and will continue to offer whatever pastoral and practical support we can. We think of Jesus weeping over the city of Jerusalem and the way in which God himself feels our pain and takes it on himself. We weep with those who weep.”

SHOCKED

Mayor of West Devon Borough Council, Cllr Caroline Mott this morning sent a message to West Devon’s neighbouring city of Plymouth.

It read: “We have all been deeply shocked by the tragic events that unfolded in Plymouth yesterday.  West Devon Borough Council would like to extend its deepest sympathies to the friends and families of everyone affected.  Our thoughts today are with everyone in Plymouth, those directly impacted, the emergency services who responded and the wider city.”

DONATIONS 

Both Devon Air Ambulance aircraft were deployed to the scene of the shooting along with two other air ambulances. 

Devon Air Ambulance has received an increase in donations this morning with supporters from the affected community and beyond donating in recognition of the work of Devon Air Ambulance crews.

Crews treated patients at the scene, alongside Cornwall Air Ambulance and Somerset and Dorset Air Ambulance and other emergency services. 

Devon Air Ambulance’s clinical teams treated patients at the scene, and due to the proximity of Derriford Hospital, continued treatment en-route by land ambulance.

Devon Air Ambulance crews frequently work in challenging circumstances, but due to the nature of this incident and treating multiple patients, last night’s operation was exceptional.

Messages of support have been coming into the charity since the incident with one supporter and donor saying: “Thank you so much for everything you do - you deal with unspeakable situations with such dignity and grace.”

Head of Fundraising at Devon Air Ambulance, Sally Hilton, said: “We are very proud of our crews who respond to emergencies every day focused purely on using their clinical expertise to help people when they need it most.

“We can’t do this, however, without our supporters who make this critical response possible through kind donations and by showing support. We would like to say a big thank you to supporters for rallying around.”

Head of Communications at Devon Air Ambulance, Charlotte Leventis, added: “Last night’s unspeakable incident was tragic and shocking. Our thoughts are with the families, friends and the community of those affected.

“The support the public has shown to Devon Air Ambulance in the aftermath, and their messages of support to our crews, has been very welcome. As a charity that is independent of Government funding, our crews are able to continue to serve patients in Devon and beyond only thanks to the support of the local communities we serve and to whom we are immensely grateful.”

Those wishing to support Devon Air Ambulance may do so by visiting: daat.org/donate .

NOT TERRORISM RELATED

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

Devon and 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.

Investigations are continuing into the incident and disruption to the road network in the Keyham area will remain throughout the day.

Police continue to ask any members of the public with mobile phone footage of the immediate aftermath of the incident not to post this on social media platforms and to respect those families who have lost loved ones.