LONDON – Six people, including the suspected gunman, died yesterday following a “serious firearms incident” in the southwestern English city of Plymouth, police said, with reports one victim was a child aged under 10.
Devon and Cornwall Police declared a “critical incident” in the Keyham area of Plymouth early evening yesterday after the shooting, but later said it was not being considered as an act of terror.
Officers responded alongside other emergency services, including air ambulance staff, to reports of gunshots in the residential neighbourhood near some of the city’s docks.
“Two females and two males were deceased at the scene,” Devon and Cornwall Police said in an update early today after hours of uncertainty around the incident.
Police added another male – believed to be the gunman – was also found dead nearby while another female treated at the scene died a short time later in hospital.
“All are believed to have died from gunshot wounds,” the force said.
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— Devon & Cornwall Police (@DC_Police) August 12, 2021
Police were called to a serious firearms incident in Biddick Drive, in the Keyham area of Plymouth at around 6.10pm today [Thursday 12 August].
Officers and ambulance staff attended. pic.twitter.com/3MRMAZkbIZ
Shortly after police confirmed the death toll, local lawmaker Luke Pollard reported one of those killed “was a child under 10 years old”.
“More people are being treated for their injuries in hospital,” the Labour MP tweeted.
“Just so unspeakably awful. My condolences and thoughts are with the families.”
‘Shocking’
It was unclear how the victims and suspected perpetrator were connected, with many details of what unfolded in the city of around 262,000 residents in the sleepy southwest English county of Devon remaining unclear.
“Police would stress this is not a terrorism related incident,” Devon and Cornwall Police said, noting officers were not looking for anyone else in connection with it.
“Investigations are continuing,” the force added, urging people with mobile phone footage of the aftermath of the events not to share it online.
Home Secretary Priti Patel called the incident “shocking” and said her thoughts were “with those affected” but did not reveal further details of what had happened.
“I have spoken to the chief constable and offered my full support,” she tweeted.
The incident in Plymouth is shocking and my thoughts are with those affected.
— Priti Patel (@pritipatel) August 12, 2021
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.
“I urge everyone to remain calm, follow police advice and allow our emergency services to get on with their jobs.”
‘Randomly started shooting’
British media said residents had reported hearing loud bangs and gunshots before police swarmed the area.
Witness Sharron, who did not want to give her full name, told the BBC she had heard shouting followed by several gunshots.
“This was when the shooter kicked in the door of a house and randomly started shooting,” she said.
He ran from the house shooting as he ran and proceeded to shoot at a few people”
Robert Pinkerton, a second witness, told the British state broadcaster he “walked around the corner” and “bumped into a bloke with a shotgun” dressed all in black.
South Western emergency services said it had responded with a significant number of resources, including Hazardous Area Response Teams, air and ground ambulances, multiple doctors and senior paramedics.
Keir Starmer, leader of the main opposition Labour Party, said “tragedy has hit Keyham”.
“I pay tribute to our emergency services who ran towards events we’d all run from,” he added.
Mass casualty shootings are rare in Britain, where most police officers are unarmed, while southwest England – a popular domestic holiday destination – is typically known as a tranquil part of the country.
Plymouth, the region’s biggest city, is home to the biggest naval base in western Europe, including nuclear submarines and large warships. – AFP, August 13, 2021
