Using what witnesses described as a ‘pump-action shotgun’, a gunman murdered Sophie Martyn, three, alongside her father Lee Martyn, 43, in front of horrified onlookers.
The gunman who killed five people including his own mother and a three-year-old girl during a rampage had his shotgun certificate taken away in December.
However, Jake Davison, 22, had it reinstated by police last month after he attended an anger management course, it has been revealed.
Devon and Cornwall Police will now face an investigation from the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) over the events leading to yesterday’s attack.
Self-described ‘incel’ Davison shot his mum, Maxine Davison, 51, before walking onto the street of Plymouth’s Keyham neighbourhood to continue his rampage.
Davison then went on to kill Stephen Washington, 59, and Kate Shepherd, aged 66, before turning the gun on himself before police could stop him.
Since then, it has emerged that his shotgun certificate was taken away from him in September 2020 following an allegation of assault.
Floral tributes and soft toy tributes left outside the Lidl supermarket on Wolesley Road, near Biddick Drive in the Keyham area of Plymouth where six people, including the offender, died of gunshot wounds in a firearms incident Thursday evening. Picture date: Friday August 13, 2021. PA Photo. Police say that the incident is not terror related and are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident. See PA story POLICE Keyham. Photo credit should read: Rod Minchin/PA Wire
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) regional director David Ford said: ‘We can confirm that this morning we received a mandatory referral from Devon and Cornwall Police relating to yesterday’s tragic events in Plymouth in which six people lost their lives.
‘Our thoughts remain with all of the many people who will be severely affected. The referral related to yesterday’s events as well as police contact with Jake Davison prior to the incident, including the force’s role and actions regarding firearms licensing.
‘After assessment of the referral we have determined we will carry out an independent investigation focusing on Jake Davison’s firearms licensing history and its impact on the tragic events of Thursday August 12.
‘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.
He added: ‘The first officers on scene encountered the child that had been shot in the street, with the adult, using what is described as a pump-action shotgun.
‘I won’t expand on that, but most people can imagine what that was like for arriving officers. Further along Biddick Drive, we then have two injured members of the public as more officers arrive.
‘And then, they’re pointing where Mr Davison has gone. Further officers are attending and then encountering a further murdered male and female and then ultimately Mr Davison himself who has taken his own life.’
It is believed that the mass shooting, which police are yet to establish a motive for, began with a ‘domestic-related incident’ between Davison and his mother.
The Chief Constable added: ‘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.’
Davison was one of thousands of people in the Devon and Cornwall Police area to have a firearms licence granted to him, he said.
The Chief Constable added: ‘As I understand it right now, he was still a licence holder last night.’
Detectives are also examining Davison’s social media output and phone use, police confirmed.
Chief Constable Sawyer said officers were working with the Metropolitan Police but were not considering terrorism or a relationship with any far-right groups.
Davison’s Facebook page was full of references to right-wing nationalist US politics and expressed his admiration for former President Donald Trump.
He wrote about conspiracy theories similar to those pushed by QAnon supporters and posted about ‘paedophiles’ and ‘devil worshipers’ in government.
Davison described himself as an ‘incel’, meaning ‘involuntary celibate’ – a member of an online subculture of people who complain of not being able to have a sex life.
Some express this through self-pity, but others express an unfulfilled entitlement to sex and advocate violence against women.
Davison had a YouTube channel on which he ranted about being rejected by women and complained about being a ‘f***ing fat ugly virgin’.
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