Plymouth shooting: Gunman 'did not hesitate' before killing himself

A man who shot and killed five people, including his mother, did not "hesitate or break his stride" before shooting himself, an inquest has heard.

Jake Davison, 22, killed his mother Maxine, 51, and then shot dead four others, including a young girl, in the Keyham area of Plymouth in August 2021.

An inquest into the deaths of the five victims is being held by Plymouth Coroner Ian Arrow at Exeter Racecourse.

The jury has been shown a presentation detailing what happened.

Three-year-old Sophie Martyn, her father, Lee, 43, Stephen Washington, 59, and Kate Shepherd, 66, all died on the evening of 12 August.

On Wednesday, police investigator David Miller showed the jury a presentation detailing the events of that evening, starting from the moment Davison returned home from his job at the city's dockyard at 15:22 BST.

Jurors heard Ms Davison called her sister Marlene Hill at 18:05, raising the alarm about an altercation with her son.

The subsequent 999 call Ms Hill made to police was played to the jury with Ms Hill telling the operator her sister's son had "mental health issues", had grabbed her by the throat and would not let her out of a bedroom.

Mr Miller said police believed Ms Davison was shot between 18:05 and 18:08, when Davison could be seen leaving their home, shotgun in hand.

He said at 18:09 Davison shot and killed Sophie and Mr Martyn, who had been walking along Biddick Drive, before turning his gun on a house in the street, shooting at it and injuring two further people.

The jurors were played 999 calls made by neighbours.

One neighbour could be heard saying: "Please he's just shot somebody."

Mr Miller said Davison then made his way through Linear Park, where he shot Mr Washington, and along Royal Navy Avenue towards Henderson Place, where he came across Mrs Shepherd at 18:13 outside Blush Salon, shooting her once at close range.

"Jake Davison does not stop but continues walking," Mr Miller said.

Jurors heard Davison turned into Bedford Street and there followed about nine minutes where he was not seen on CCTV but was believed to have been in a garage block area.

Meanwhile, police officers arrived at the scene - seven minutes after the first 999 call - and started to give first aid to Mrs Shepherd, the inquest heard.

At 18:22 Davison reappears on CCTV, making his way back towards Henderson Place, before shooting himself three minutes later.

Mr Miller said: "There's no hesitation or breaking of his stride."

Jurors heard Davison was found with one remaining live cartridge in his shotgun and they were then shown images of the black Weatherby pump action shotgun he used that day.

The jury heard how Davison had looked up posts online about incel culture - meaning "involuntary celibate" - in the hours before he died.

Davison also spent time watching South Park on YouTube, rearranging a DHL delivery and trying to book a driving licence theory test.

Jurors were told the vast majority of Davison's "extensive" online history was "unremarkable" but they also heard about a number of disturbing posts, videos and content Davison had either viewed or published.

Supt Rachael Bentley, who was the senior investigating officer in the Keyham case, said officers downloaded data from Davison's computer tower and mobile phone.

Supt Bentley said 57 of 1.6 million files officers checked related to "offending and offensive posts" involving "shocking and unacceptable content" including violence and misogynistic views.

She also said Davison had only used his real name on Facebook, not on Instagram, YouTube or Reddit and therefore a digital media search under his name would not have revealed his internet history.

Jurors heard Davison had been "obsessed" with firearms from a young age.

His Year 9 review with Careers South West (CSW) stated Davison was "ASD [autism spectrum disorder] and OCD [obsessive compulsive disorder] with regards to guns. He loves guns and he wants to join a gun club. Much of the review was taken up talking about how to get involved with guns… We suggested Army cadets".

Karen Roberts from CSW said Davison's mother had called them in November 2016, saying she was worried about her son as he was isolated and obsessed with weapons.

Ms Roberts said she met Davison on 7 December 2016 to talk about his career prospects and he told her his "real passion" was firearms and he wanted to work in a firearms shop.

She said she raised concerns with her manager Stuart Allen that a Prevent referral might need to be made.

Mrs Roberts said Prevent aims to identify those at risk of being "groomed for terrorism".

Mr Allen told the jury he spoke to Ms Davison to get more information before approaching the Prevent lead for Plymouth to discuss a possible referral.

He said he was told it would not be a Prevent referral as there was "no evidence he was talking to people who could take advantage of him".

The inquest hearing continues.

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