Plymouth shooting - latest: Anger as gun returned to Jake Davison and ‘incels could be classed as terrorists’
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Labour has said police have questions to answer over how a gunman obtained a firearms licence and went on a rampage as more tributes poured in for the victims of the killing spree.
Gunman Jake Davison killed five people – including his mother and a three-year-old girl – and injured two others in the city’s Keyham area on Thursday evening before turning his gun on himself.
The 22-year-old had his gun returned weeks before Thursday’s deadly shooting spree after it was taken away last December following an assault allegation, according to the police watchdog.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has said it will investigate Devon and Cornwall Police’s decision-making in relation to Davison’s possession of the weapon and certificate.
On Saturday, Priti Patel visited Plymouth to pay tribute to the victims . The city council chief also said residents remained “in a state of shock” after experiencing the UK’s first mass shooting in more than a decade.
Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation on ‘incels’
The government is likely to consider treating so-called “incels” as terrorists if there are more attacks like the Plymouth shootings, the Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation has said.
Listen to Jonathan Hall QC’s comments here:
‘It’s tragic beyond words’, Priti Patel says
My colleague, Holly Bancroft, reports on Priti Patel’s visit to Plymouth:
The home secretary told community organisers: “I’m sure a lot of people will be affected by this. It’s tragic beyond words, really really tragic, for a range of reasons. I’m sure everyone will have known each other and this will really touch so many people’s lives.
She added: “But it’s quite an important moment as well where people are coming together across the community.”
Kevin Sproston, head of the community watch, said: “We are looking at putting additonal security in people’s homes, whatever makes people feel safe in this area.”
He later said: “This is our 11 September. Every single person in Kyham knows exactly where they were when this happened. and the hurt is deep, and we do need some help in order to help the people
Ms Patel also said it was a “very sad time” on her visit to the city in the aftermath of the shooting.
“People have seen things that quite frankily in all our lifetimes you would not want anyone to witness,” the home secretary said.
Keir Starmer on Davison’s gun licence
Sir Keir Starmer welcomed the launch of the investigation into how Jake Davison had his gun licence returned after it was previously removed, but said the case raised wider issues.
Labour’s leader asked: “How on earth did he get a gun licence in the first place?”
“What back-up checks were done?” he added.
“I am glad there is the investigation already into why the licence was returned. I do think there are wider questions here and that could involve a review of the gun licensing laws because there are other questions here that urgently need to be addressed.”
Additional reporting by PA
‘Every single adult knows exactly where they were, similar to 9/11’
After speaking to Priti Patel in Plymouth today, Kev Sproston from the local neighbourhood watch team said: “How I define that is the fact that every single kid, every single adult, knows exactly where they were, similar to 9/11.
“To the point that I speak to people, and they will tell me exactly where their brother was, where their sister was, where their mother was.”
He told reporters: “That’s the impact that it’s had on people, it’s going to be something that is in their own minds and thoughts for a long period of time.”
Additional reporting by PA
Thousands crowdfunded for victims’ families and community
Thousands of pounds has been raised to support victims’ families and the wider community affected by Plymouth’s mass shooting.
Local newspaper Plymouth Live has launched a crowdfunding page here:
Plymouth ❤️, organised by Plymouth Live
On Plymouth’s darkest night in living memory, a gunman opened fire and took the lives of five innocent vict… Plymouth Live needs your support for Plymouth ❤️
‘Why did he have a gun licence in the first place?'
Here is Sir Keir Starmer speaking to Sky News about Davison’s licence and “wider questions” to be asked over licensing laws:
Locals visit scene of shooting to pay tribute to victims
Locals have left flowers, balloons and messages around the scene of the shooting on Saturday.
Cuddly toys were also left among tributes to victims - which included three-year-old Sophie Martyn.
One woman, who gave her name only as Terri, brought her two grandchildren as she paid her respects at the park on Saturday.
She told reporters she had known Ms Davison “for years” and that she was “lovely”, adding: “I didn’t even realise it was her until yesterday when I saw her photo.”
She said she had brought her two grandchildren to pay tribute in particular to three-year-old Sophie, placing a pink candle and teddy bear next to the floral tributes.
Melanie Fletcher, who lives near the scene of the shooting, said about people laying flowers in the local park: “It just touches your heart, you know, sort of faith in humanity. But it’s still shocking.”
Additional reporting by PA
Former top prosecutor says Davison should have been on watchlist
Jake Davison should have been on a police watchlist before he carried out the UK’s first mass shooting in more than 10 years, a former top prosecutor has said.
Nazir Afzal, who was previously chief crown prosecutor for the North West said the 22-year-old was “exactly the type of person the authorities should be keeping an eye on”.
Watch him make the comments here:
Plymouth Argyle FC hold silence before game
Plymouth Argyle FC held a minute’s silence before kick-off today for the victims of Thursday’s shooting:
What do we know about Jake Davison?
The gunman who murdered five people in a shooting spree in Plymouth has been named as apprentice crane operator and self-described “incel” Jake Davison.
Here is a recap of what we know about him so far:
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