Plymouth falls silent to remember five people killed in mass shooting

A one-minute silence has been held in Plymouth to remember those killed in last week’s mass shooting.

Following the silence, a bell was rung five times – once for each life lost.

Maxine Davison, 51, Kate Shepherd, 66, Stephen Washington, 59, Lee Martin, 43, and his three-year-old daughter Sophie were shot dead in Keyham on Thursday by 22-year-old Jake Davison, who then turned the gun on himself.

People across the UK were invited by the city council to observe the silence at 11am.

In Plymouth, people gathered outside the city’s Guildhall.

Churches across Devon held vigils on Sunday night for the victims.

Yesterday, the widow of Mr Washington paid tribute to her “soulmate”.

Sheila Washington said: “Stephen was a devoted family man, a loving husband, father, grandfather and best friend.

“Since the devastating events a couple of days ago, our world has been turned upside down in the blink of an eye and he will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him.”

The cousin of Mr Martin described him as having “the kindest heart, and would do anything for anybody”.

Jess Morcom, a journalist at PlymouthLive said “you only had to take one look at him to see how much he loved and adored his family”.

Witnesses told police Davison turned the weapon – described as a pump-action shotgun – on himself before armed officers could engage him.

The police watchdog will now investigate the Devon and Cornwall force over the gunman’s possession of a shotgun and shotgun certificate.

The police face scrutiny over their decision to return the firearm to Davison after it was removed from his last December, following allegations of an assault.

It is not yet known if this particular weapon was the one used in the attack.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson described it an “absolutely appalling incident” amid calls for the issue to be properly investigated.