Plymouth killer’s videos were ‘rallying point’ for incel extremists who praised him as a ‘new hero’
Plymouth killer’s rambling YouTube videos were ‘rallying point’ for incel extremists who praised him as a ‘new hero’ – as watchdog says woman-hating movement will likely be classed as terrorists if there are copycat attacks
The Centre for Countering Digital Hate said that his videos were a ‘rallying point’Jake Davison was hailed a ‘supreme gentleman’ and was told to ‘shoot for stars’A person wrote online that this is what happens when you disenfranchise men’It comes as an investigation was launched into Davison’s possession of shotgun
The gunman who shot dead five people and himself in Plymouth has become a celebrated figure in the woman-hating ‘incel’ world.
The Centre for Countering Digital Hate said Jake Davison’s videos were a ‘rallying point’ for involuntary celibates and his shooting spree will help the movement.
The killer was hailed a ‘supreme gentleman’ and a ‘new hero’ and was told to ‘shoot for the stars’ after his vicious rampage on Thursday.
One person wrote: ‘This is what happens when you disenfranchise men. I don’t approve at all of what he did, but this will continue to happen.
‘It’s not just self-described incels who do it out of frustration, it’s other types of men too. The guys in prison are mostly incels.’
It comes as the Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation said the Government is likely to consider treating ‘incels’ as terrorists if there are more attacks.
Jonathan Hall QC told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: ‘The question is really whether or not the authorities want to treat the incel phenomenon as a terrorist risk.
‘That would involve diverting resources or putting resources into it. If we see more of these sorts of attacks, then I have got no doubt that it will be treated more seriously as terrorism.
‘It fits rather uneasily into the way the authorities understand ideologies. It seems part of right-wing terrorism but it is not really. In fact, it is quite separate from it. It is a different sort of ideology.
‘The question is really one of choice. Do we want to start treating incels as potential terrorists?’
The Centre for Countering Digital Hate said Jake Davison’s videos were a ‘rallying point’ for involuntary celibates and his shooting spree will help the movement
In rambling and unsettling films made in the weeks before his rampage, he described an obsession with The Terminator and repeatedly mentions to ‘incel’ movement linked to mass shootings in the US
Meanwhile a probe was launched into Davison’s possession of a shotgun and a firearms licence, which were returned in July after being removed last year.
Davison, 22, killed his mother on Thursday in the Keyham area before going on to shoot dead four more people, including a three-year-old girl, and injure two others.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct said it will investigate Devon and Cornwall Police’s decisions in relation to his possession of the gun and certificate.
The move came amid an outpouring of grief for the victims of the atrocity, with hundreds attending a candlelit vigil close to where the incident took place.
The IOPC said it had launched an investigation following a mandatory referral from Devon and Cornwall Police which contains preliminary information that Davison’s firearm and licence were returned to him in early July this year.
The certificate and shotgun had been removed by police in December 2020 following an allegation of assault in September 2020, the watchdog said.
According to reports, Davison’s firearms licence was returned after he attended an anger management course.
IOPC regional director David Ford said the referral related to Thursday’s events as well as ‘police contact with Jake Davison prior to the incident, including the force’s role and actions regarding firearms licensing’.
He said: ‘We will examine what police actions were taken and when, the rationale behind police decision-making, and whether relevant law, policy and procedures were followed concerning Mr Davison’s possession of a shotgun.’
Meanwhile a probe was launched into Davison’s possession of a shotgun and a firearms licence, which were returned in July after being removed last year
On a Reddit thread, under the question ‘What do incels think of their mother’, Davison replied: ‘Can’t stand her’
Davison wrote this post about mass shootings and more guns being in the UK ‘than people think’ just 22 days before the Plymouth massacre
It will also look at whether the force had information concerning Davison’s mental health and if this was ‘appropriately considered.’
No investigation will take place into the force’s response to the shootings, he added.
Hundreds of people placed flowers and candles in North Down Crescent Park on Friday evening.
Plymouth Sutton and Devonport MP Luke Pollard tweeted images of the vigil and the victims’ names, writing: ‘Tonight our community came together to remember the victims of the shooting in £keyham.
Davison shot his 51-year-old mother Maxine Davison, also known as Maxine Chapman, at a house in Biddick Drive before he went into the street and shot dead Sophie Martyn, aged three, and her father Lee Martyn, aged 43, in an attack witnessed by horrified onlookers.
He killed Stephen Washington, 59, in a nearby park, before shooting Kate Shepherd, 66, on Henderson Place. She later died at Derriford Hospital.
Davison also aimed and shot at two local residents – a man aged 33 and a 53-year-old woman – who are known to each other, in Biddick Drive.
They suffered significant injuries not believed to be life-threatening.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson called for the issue of how Davison came to legally own a gun to be ‘properly investigated’ and described the shooting as an ‘absolutely appalling’ incident.
Witness Peggy Holliday told how she had just finished having a tattoo and was walking to a shop when she heard screaming.
She told ITV News West Country: ‘A couple of the gunshots went off and I ran opposite a pub and the owner came out and he shouted at me ‘get in here, get in here now’.’
She said she ‘literally clung underneath one of the pool tables for dear life’ before she froze.
‘It literally felt like a living nightmare,’ she said.
Devon and Cornwall Police received multiple calls about the incident at 6.11pm, with armed and unarmed officers arriving at the scene within six minutes and Davison found dead by 6.23pm.
Chief Constable Shaun Sawyer told Sky News that those present had faced ‘some of the most challenging scenes’.
It is believed that the mass shooting, which police are yet to establish a motive for, began with a ‘domestic-related incident’ between Davison and his mother.
‘We’ve never in my time had homicide followed by a rampaging firearms attack on random members of the public and then taking one’s life,’ Mr Sawyer said.
‘That is without precedent in my time as chief constable.’
Mr Sawyer described members of the public who witnessed what happened as ‘extremely traumatised’ and said they were being supported by specialist officers.
Davison was one of thousands of people in the Devon and Cornwall Police area to have a firearms licence granted to him, the chief constable said on Friday.
Mr Sawyer said Davison’s licence would form part of the police investigation into the incident, including when it was granted, whether it was granted correctly, and whether it was ever removed and then restored.
Detectives are also examining Davison’s social media output and phone use, police confirmed.
Social media posts and interactions offered insight into the mind of a man who was interested in guns and America, while his social media use suggests an obsession with the ‘incel’ culture, meaning ‘involuntary celibate’ , a culture which has amassed a following online among some men who feel they are being oppressed by women due to a perceived lack of sexual interest.
On Friday, forensic officers in protective clothing could be seen conducting fingertip searches at the scene, while a coroner’s ambulance was filmed leaving the area.
A large yellow tent was set up in the area, with several uniformed officers posted around the cordon.
Dozens of flowers, cards and soft toys have been left in tribute to the victims near the scene.
One note read: ‘Rest in peace. Thoughts and prayers with you all. A tragic loss. Such beautiful souls. Love to all.’
Flags in Plymouth are being flown at half-mast following the atrocity, while Smeaton’s Tower was lit up as a mark of respect to the victims on Friday night.
A minute’s silence will be held on Monday at 11am and books of condolence are available for the public to sign at several locations.
