People will gather on the first anniversary of one of the worst mass shootings in the UK to commemorate the victims.
on August 12, Jake Davison killed his mother, Maxine Davison, 51, after an argument, then shot and killed four others in a 12-minute attack.
Sophie Martyn, three, her father Lee, 43, Stephen Washington, 59, and Kate Shepherd, 66, all died.
Davison, 22, an apprentice crane operator, then turned his pump gun on himself before armed officers reached him.
Plymouth will mark the milestone with a civic ceremony at the Minster Church of St Andrew and a community vigil in North Down Crescent Park.
Councilor Richard Bingley, Plymouth City Council leader, said Friday “will be a very difficult time for many and our thoughts are with the families, survivors and communities of Keyham, Ford and the surrounding areas”.
“The anniversary will be a time for people to come together, or just reflect quietly, and remember loved ones after this devastating event,” he said.
The killings sparked outpourings of sympathy and offers of help from across the community.
There was also a wave of condolences from national leaders, including Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Home Secretary Priti Patel and Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer.
Earlier this week, Mr. Washington’s family spoke of their loss and thanked the community for their love and support.
“Our hearts and thoughts are still with the other families and survivors as we move forward to the January inquest,” they said.
“We miss Stephen every day and we are still grappling with the tragic events of that fateful day.
“The grandchildren miss him terribly as they miss his fun, games and tickling sessions.
“We know that as a family we will support each other.”
Since the shooting, which was witnessed by as many as 300 people, nearly £2 million has been pledged in government aid to help recover Keyham and surrounding areas.
Nearly £800,000 will be spent on child care, including mental health care, while £1 million will go to community safety and police.
More than £100,000 has been raised by The Plymouth Together Fund, which was set up to raise money for affected families and the community.
The atrocity took place weeks after a shotgun and license were returned to Davison by Devon and Cornwall Police.
They had been seized in 2020 after Davison assaulted two teenagers in a park.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating how the police approved his application and returned him the license and shotgun.
Davison applied for a shotgun certificate in July 2017 and, after the application was processed by the police, was awarded a certificate in January 2018 that was valid for five years.
Police will now have to check a person’s medical history before issuing a gun license, the Interior Ministry said.
In addition to the coroner’s and IOPC investigations, the Council of National Police Chiefs, in conjunction with the local police and the crime commissioner, is also conducting an investigation into police firearms policies and procedures.
Davison had received mental health support during the corona crisis.
The use of social media suggested an obsession with incel – or involuntary celibate – culture, as well as an interest in guns and the US.
His mother had reported him to the government’s counter-terrorism Prevention program in November 2016, which aims to prevent people from becoming terrorists, months before he applied for a gun license.
Details of the referral have not been disclosed but will be key to the investigation.