Six killed in Plymouth shootings

Gunman amongst dead

It's been confirmed that six people are dead following a shooting in Plymouth.

Police say two females and two males were found dead at the scene in Biddick Drive, in the : area about a mile from the city centre. The gunman was also found dead.

Another female died a short time late in hospital. All are believed to have died of gunshot wounds. 

Their names and ages haven't yet been revealed, but Plymouth Sutton and Devonport MP Luke Pollard has Tweeted to say a child under 10 is among those killed.

Next of kin of all of those who have died have been informed by Devon and Cornwall Police officers.

One eyewitness interviewed by the BBC, Sharron, who lives near Biddick Drive said: "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."

She said the "shooter proceeded along Royal Navy Avenue still shooting".

The killer is reported to have been dressed all in black and walking around the streets with a shotgun. People were asked to stay inside and follow police advice as the emergency services responded. It's believed that both Devon Air Ambulances were joined by the Cornwall service and another aircraft from Southampton.

Another eyewitness, who believes he spoke to the gunman, said: "I saw him in the little garage, crouched down with his back against one of the garage doors with a gun between his legs.

"It looked like the old .22 air-rifles, but obviously it wasn't because of what he did with it. I didn't think too much of it - until I heard what happened."

Devon and Cornwall chief constable Shaun Sawyer has been in contact with Home Secretary Priti Patel about the incident, which began around 6.10 p.m. on Thursday.

In a statement on Twitter, Home Secretary Priti Patel urged everyone to remain calm and follow police advice.

The incident in Plymouth is shocking and my thoughts are with those affected.

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.

— Priti Patel MP (@pritipatel) August 12, 2021

Police stress the incident is not terror-related. No on else is being sought in connection with the incident. They ask that anyone who 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 this evening.