Several people dead after mass shooting in England
Five people, including a young child, were killed in a mass shooting in southwest England on Thursday, authorities said.
The shooter, who was also killed, kicked in the door of a home then gunned down a woman and her young daughter before randomly opening fire on other people in the streets of Plymouth, reports and officials said.
Two women and two men were found dead at the scene as well as another man believed to be the gunman, Devon & Cornwall police said in a statement. A woman was transported to a local hospital and later died, police said.
More people were being treated for their injuries in the hospital, a local member of Parliament said.
“We should prepare ourselves for more grim news tomorrow,” MP Luke Pollard said on Twitter. “Please look out for one another.”
Pollard said he was “utterly devastated” that one of those killed was a child under 10 years old.
There were few official details released about the shooting by authorities, including how the alleged shooter was killed.
“Devon & Cornwall Police would stress this is not a terrorism related incident,” police said in a statement.
“The area has been cordoned off and police are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.”
The violence broke out about 6:10 p.m. local time, authorities said.
An eyewitness named Sharron told BBC she heard shouting and gunshots to start.
“This was when the shooter kicked in the door of a house and randomly started shooting,” she said, according to the BBC.
“He ran from the house shooting as he ran and proceeded to shoot at a few people in the linear park up from the drive.”
Another witness said he saw a man dressed in black carrying a shotgun. Other reports said the weapon was a semiautomatic. Two of the victims may have been walking their dogs according to Reuters.
The UK has one of the lowest gun homicide rates in the world, and mass shootings are rare, Reuters said.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said on Twitter she offered her full support to the chief constable.
“The incident in Plymouth is shocking and my thoughts are with those affected,” Patel said. “I urge everyone to remain calm, follow police advice and allow our emergency services to get on with their jobs.”
With Post wires
