Plymouth shooting: Starmer asks why gunman had licence - BBC News

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The Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has questioned why the man who killed five people in Plymouth, before turning the gun on himself, was given back his gun permit.

Jake Davison, 22, had his gun and permit revoked in December after he was accused of assault in September 2020.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct is looking at why Devon and Cornwall Police returned them in July.

Sir Keir asked: "Why did he have a gun licence in the first place?"

The Labour leader said it was a "good thing that the issue of the return of the licence" was being investigated but there were also wider questions about gun licensing laws and what background checks were put in place when Davison was given his licence.

Meanwhile, Home Secretary Priti Patel has paid her respects to the victims by placing a floral tribute near the scene.

She laid the bouquet at North Down Crescent Park, where hundreds of people attended a vigil on Friday evening. Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall Police Shaun Sawyer also laid a bouquet.

The home secretary and Plymouth Sutton MP Luke Pollard then spoke with members of the local neighbourhood watch team at the park.

Priti Patel and Chief Constable Shaun Sawye

"It's tragic beyond words, really, really tragic, for a range of reasons, and obviously for those involved," Ms Patel told them.

"I'm sure everyone will have known each other and this really will have touched so many people's lives."

On Thursday evening, Davison, 22, shot his 51-year-old mother Maxine Davison, also known as Maxine Chapman, at a house in Biddick Drive. He then went into the street and shot dead Sophie Martyn, aged three, and her father Lee Martyn, 43.

He killed Stephen Washington, 59, in a nearby park, before shooting Kate Shepherd, 66, on Henderson Place. She later died at Derriford Hospital.

Davison also aimed and shot at two local residents - a man aged 33 and a 53-year-old woman - who are known to each other, in Biddick Drive.

His attack, in Keyham, lasted about six minutes before he turned the gun, described by witnesses as a pump-action shotgun, on himself.

Prior to the shooting, Davison had posted hate-filled online rants about single mothers and about his own mother in particular, calling her "vile, dysfunctional and chaotic".

The IOPC said it had launched an investigation on Friday evening after it received preliminary information that Davison's firearm and licence were returned to him in early July this year.

The certificate and shotgun had been removed from him by police in December 2020 following an allegation of assault in September 2020, the watchdog said.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson had earlier said the issue of how Davison came to legally own a gun should be "properly investigated", adding that the shooting was an "absolutely appalling" incident.

Regional IOPC director David Ford said: "We will examine what police actions were taken and when, the rationale behind police decision-making, and whether relevant law, policy and procedures were followed concerning Mr Davison's possession of a shotgun."

It will also look at whether the force had information concerning Davison's mental health and if this was "appropriately considered".

Who can own a gun in England, Scotland and Wales?

Police forces issue shotgun and firearm certificates
Anyone who wants to own a gun has to show they have a "good reason" for doing so, for example for use in their job or sport
Independent referees provide confidential character statements about the applicant's mental state, home life and attitude towards guns
Police check for a criminal record and speak to the applicant's GP for evidence of alcoholism, drug abuse or signs of personality disorder
Applicants must show they have a secure location for the weapon, typically a dedicated gun cabinet. Each certificate is valid for five years
Police can revoke certificates if they conclude that the holder can no longer be trusted

Read more about firearm rules in the UK

Chief Constable Shaun Sawyer told Sky News that those present had faced "some of the most challenging scenes".

"We've never in my time had homicide followed by a rampaging firearms attack on random members of the public and then taking one's life," Mr Sawyer said.

"That is without precedent in my time as chief constable."

Police are not treating the incident, the worst mass shooting in Britain since 2010, as terror-related.

However, Davison made references to "incels" in some online social media videos.

Incels are members of misogynistic online groups of "involuntary celibate" men, who blame women for their sexual failings and who have been linked to a number of violent acts around the world.

Sir Peter Fahy, a retired chief constable and former policing lead on the prevention of terrorism, said police and government may need to re-examine definitions of terrorism as the threat from jihadist groups appears to diminish and other threats grow.

He also defended the UK's firearms licensing system, saying that about 30 people a year were murdered with guns and nearly all of them involve illegally owned weapons.

Officers are continuing to investigate 13 scenes within a cordon that is expected to remain in place throughout much of the weekend.

Flags in Plymouth are being flown at half-mast, while Smeaton's Tower was lit up as a mark of respect to the victims on Friday night.

And on Saturday a minute' silence was held before Plymouth Argyle's game with Gillingham.

The Anchorage pub in Plymouth, where shooting victim Lee Martyn was a regular, held a two-minute silence on Saturday.

Head chef Sam Weight said staff were "all really upset" about the deaths of "beautiful, genuine" Mr Martyn and his three-year-old daughter Sophie.

"Lee and Sophie were a pair and he was an absolutely amazing dad, he would do anything for her," she said.

"He was always joking and she was a cracking little kid who had not even started her life.

"It's so sad, especially for the family that's left behind."

Claire Kidd paid tribute to her "very talented artist" friend Kate Shepherd, who lived in Kingsand, Cornwall, before moving to Plymouth.

"It has touched all of the hearts of the village," she said.

"We are all feeling deeply sad and in shock."

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