A gunman went on the rampage in Plymouth tonight, killing at least five people before turning his weapon on himself.
Several of the shooter’s relatives, including his mother, and members of the public were believed to be among the dead, with witnesses claiming a toddler had also been killed.
Police confirmed there were ‘a number of fatalities at the scene’, with other people left injured and needing treatment following the bloodbath.
The area of the naval port city where the killings took place was put in lockdown as emergency response teams raced to the scene.
Local MPs urged residents to ‘remain calm’ and stay indoors as they awaited more information, adding that it was a ‘grim day for our city and our community’.
The incident – the first in Britain involving an ‘active shooter’ for 11 years – was so serious that Home Secretary Priti Patel was given regular updates.
Security sources said tonight that six people had died, including the gunman, adding that it was not being treated as a terror incident.
The Hazardous Area Response Unit (HART), National Police Air Service and around three air ambulances raced to the scene in North Prospect after witnesses in the area have described hearing ‘loud bangs’ and ‘gun shots’ in Biddick Drive just after 6pm
Around three air ambulances raced to the scene in North Prospect, Plymouth, this evening after ‘serious’ incident began to unfold
A cordon is put in place as police officer attend the scene where a gunman opened fire and killed at least five people
Armed police descend upon the scene in Plymouth tonight as and locals are urged by MPs to stay indoors
Armed police, the Hazardous Area Response Unit (HART), National Police Air Service and around three air ambulances raced to the scene of the ‘serious and tragic incident’ tonight in North Prospect following reports of ‘loud bangs’ and ‘gun shots’ in Biddick Drive just after 6pm.
One witness, who gave her name as Sharron, said she saw the gunman ‘kick in the door of a house’ before he ‘randomly started shooting’.
She told the BBC: ‘Firstly, there was shouting, followed by gunshots – three, possibly four to begin with.
‘This was when the shooter kicked in the door of a house and randomly started shooting… 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.’
A video posted on social media showed a body covered in a sheet lying on a pavement as an armed policeman stood close by.
Johnny Mercer, the Conservative MP for Plymouth Moor View, sought to reassure his constituents on Twitter, saying the incident was ‘not terror-related’ and the suspect involved was not ‘on the run’.
He added: ‘It is for the police to confirm further details. Do not repost chatter or gossip; work with them. We have the best cops in the land.’
As the scenes continue to unfold, local Labour MP Luke Pollard tweeted: ‘Really worrying news coming out of Keyham in Plymouth. Please can everyone stay safe, stay indoors and follow police advice.’
He added: ‘Awaiting confirmation of number of victims but this looks like a very grim day for our city and our community.
‘Please can I ask that you think of the families and our community and not share any images or videos of any of the victims. #keyham.’
And Home Secretary Priti Patel said: ‘The incident in Plymouth is shocking and my thoughts are with those affected.I have spoken to the Chief Constable and offered my full support.
‘I urge everyone to remain calm, follow police advice and allow our emergency services to get on with their jobs.’
Elsewhere, shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds tweeted: ‘Truly terrible news. Thinking of the families and friends of those who have died and those injured. Thank you to our remarkable emergency services.
‘I’ve been in contact with local representatives to express my support for the whole community of Plymouth on this awful evening.’
Devon and Cornwall Police said: ‘Police were called to a serious firearms incident in Biddick Drive, in the Keyham area of Plymouth at around 6.10pm today.
‘Officers and ambulance staff attended. There have been a number of fatalities at the scene and several other casualties are receiving treatment.
Emergency crews, including armed police, arrive to the scene following reports of multiple shootings in the Keyham area
Officers stand at the scene of the major incident in Plymouth as a nearby school sports centre is closed down and people are told to stay indoors
Emergency crews were called to the area just after 6pm following reports of a ‘serious and tragic’ incident
A nearby school sports centre has been closed down and people are being told to stay indoors by polic
A cordon remains in place on the road as officer and ambulance crew members remain at the scene
The Hazardous Area Response Unit (HART), National Police Air Service and paramedics are at the scene
‘A critical incident has been declared. The area has been cordoned off and police believe the situation is contained. Road closures are in place so please avoid the area.
‘We are appealing to the public not to speculate or share pictures of the scene on social media or anywhere else. We will provide more information on log number 768 of 12/08/21 as soon as we can.’
A South Western Ambulance Service spokesman said: ‘We were called at 6.12pm to an ongoing incident in Plymouth.
‘We responded to the incident with a significant number of resources, including Hazardous Area Response Teams (HART), multiple ambulances, air ambulances, multiple doctors and senior paramedics. We will provide an update here in due course.’
A nearby school sports centre has been closed down and people are being told to stay indoors by police.
Cordons have also been put in place around a block of flats to prevent pedestrians accessing the area.
And Drake Circus Shopping Centre in Plymouth has also been evacuated as a precaution.
The last active shooter incident was the Cumbria shootings on June 2, 2010, when taxi driver Derrick Bird went on the rampage in Whitehaven and the surrounding countryside, killing 12 people and injuring 11.
Other mass killings in the UK since then have involved explosives or knife attacks.