Hero lads warned of gunman on the loose
SCHOOLBOYS PRAISED FOR SAVING LIVES Plymouth mourns for victims of evil gunman
TWO lads have been praised for helping move people to safety during the Plymouth shooter’s rampage.
Community leaders thanked the unnamed boys, said to be a 14-year-old and his best mate, for their bravery as grieving relatives joined police chiefs, paramedics and council leaders for a minute’s silence for the five victims.
Addressing nearly 200 mourners, Kevin Sproston, leader of the neighbourhood watch in Keyham, said: “The boys saved lives. Your actions and bravery have been an inspiration.
“Keyham is grieving. We are in shock, feel guilty and angry about the events surrounding the deaths of our beloved community members.”
One local said: “The two lads were amazing. Absolutely brilliant. I’ve been told they rallied around to get people out of the way. Even in the middle of panic and terror, it’s so good that two young individuals acted in such a heroic way.
“They alerted people and warned them to stay indoors. What people witnessed will haunt them. As a community, we need to make sure they are OK and that includes these two boys.”
Close relatives of dad Lee Martyn, who was gunned down with his daughter Sophie, three, held hands and fought back tears as they bowed their heads at the gathering in the city centre.
Gun-obsessed loner Jake Davison, 22, also killed grandad Stephen Washington, 59, artist Kate Shepherd, 66, as well as his own mum Maxine, 51, in the 12-minute rampage with a pump-action shotgun.
He turned the gun on himself when police arrived on the scene last Thursday. Lord Mayor of Plymouth Terri Beer said outside the Guildhall before the silence: “I know Plymouth is a place where people stand together during dark times. I hope and believe we will get through the difficult times that lie ahead as we try to come to terms with the dreadful loss by continuing to support each other.”
Police in England and Wales are reviewing application procedures for gun licences after it emerged Davison held his weapon legally. Devon & Cornwall Police returned his licence last month after he agreed to an anger management course following an allegation of assault.
Guidance is set to include social media checks on applicants after it emerged Davison had posted hate-filled rants against women and contributed to “incel” forums.
Security analyst Will Geddes warned incels – short for “involuntary celibates” – and far-right groups pose a rising danger as loners seek out more extreme views on social media.
He said: “One of the fundamental problems is that those who are potentially susceptible to radicalisation can seek out material and easily access it.
“It’s really difficult to diagnose what reasons and motivations were behind his [Jake Davison’s] actions.
“However, those looking for justifications for their horrendous acts are the very people who are isolated from the community, as this individual appears to have been.”
Horrified locals said the loner “freaked” them out.
One neighbour recalled: “He called himself the devil. He said his name was Satan.”
The youngsters witnessed Davison shoot his final victim Kate Shepherd in Henderson Place, locals claim.
They said one rushed to her aid when she collapsed outside Blush hairdressers, helping another bystander put pressure on her wound.
When Davison reappeared, one of the lads lad bravely warned a woman and her children walking down the road to flee. They also helped pull a bystander frozen in shock to safety.