Innocent Plymouth shooting victims died of gunshot wounds to the head, inquest told

THE victims of last week's mass shooting in Plymouth died of gunshot wounds to the head, an inquest heard today.

Jake Davison, 22, killed five people, including his own mum and a three-year-old girl, during his 12-minute rampage before turning the gun on himself.

Plymouth Coroners' Court was told how gunshots erupted at 6.11pm after Davison stormed a home in Biddick Drive, Keyham, and shot his first victim - his mother Maxine, 51 - after ranting about her online.

He then peppered bystanders with bullets as horrified neighbours scrambled for cover.

The hulking crane driver then shot dead Lee Martyn, 43, and his daughter Sophie as he bravely tried to shield her.

Stephen Washington, 59, was gunned down while walking his dogs in a nearby park, followed by Kate Shepherd, 66, who later died in hospital.

Davison then turned the gun on himself as armed cops raced to the scene - bringing the rampage to a bloody end.

Detective Inspector Steve Hambly, the Senior Investigation Officer involved in the shooting, read the circumstances around the deaths and the cause of each.

Maxine, a former trawler woman, sustained "fatal gunshot wounds" to the torso and head after her son hurled abuse at her.

Regarding Lee, a carpenter by trade, DI Hambly said: "While out walking with daughter Sophie and the family dog, Lee was fatally shot by an assailant who was not known to him."

Lee's cause of death was noted as shotgun wounds to the torso and head while Sophie's was recorded as shotgun wound to the head.

DI Hambly said Stephen, who was married and a carer for his wife, died from a shotgun would to the chest after being hit while walking his dogs.

Katherine Shephard, who was known as Kate, who was married and an artist by occupation, was shot in the stomach while walking along Henderson Place.

The inquest heard she was taken to Derriford Hospital, but "despite best efforts of medical staff passed away".

12-MINUTE RAMPAGE

Opening the inquests this morning, Ian Arrow, senior coroner Plymouth, Torbay and South Devon, expressed his "sadness" on hearing of the deaths of the five victims.

He adjourned all inquests and fixed a provisional date for pre-inquest reviews on December 9.

A separate inquest into the death of apprentice crane operator Davison was later opened.

During the five-minute hearing, Mr Hambly said Davison took his own life on Henderson Place and died from shotgun wounds to the head.

The August 12 horror was the first "active shooter" rampage seen in the UK since cabbie Derrick Bird murdered 12 people in Cumbria in June 2010.

Following the shooting, it later emerged that Davison had his gun taken from him in December 2020 following an allegation of assault made two months previously.

THOROUGH INVESTIGATION

As well as the coroner's investigation, two other inquiries are already under way into the shootings.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is examining the decision by the Devon and Cornwall force to return Davison's shotgun certificate and weapon to him just weeks before the killings after they were seized following an allegation of assault.

The National Police Chiefs Council is also leading an investigation, in conjunction with the local police and crime commissioner, into the force's firearms policies and procedures.

Meanwhile, the Government will be introducing new statutory guidance, including asking doctors to undertake medical checks on anyone applying for a licence, as well as inquiries into social media usage.

The Home Office has previously asked all police forces in England and Wales to review their current firearm application processes, as well as assess whether they need to revisit any existing licences.

Davison received mental health support during the coronavirus lockdown and had been in contact with a telephone helpline service in Plymouth run by the Livewell Southwest organisation.

Social media usage by Davison suggested an obsession with "incel" culture, meaning "involuntary celibate", as well as an interest in guns and the US.

Reports have suggested Davison's mother had been struggling to get help for her son, having become concerned about his mental health.