Five dead and suspect killed after ‘serious firearms incident’ in southwest England

Police said officers and ambulance staff were called to respond to the incident in Biddick Drive, in the Keyham area of Plymouth, around 6:10 p.m.

Two women and two men were found dead at the scene, according to police. Another woman was treated for gunshot wounds at the scene and died a short time later in hospital.

Another man, believed to be the offender, was also found dead. All are believed to have died from gunshot wounds.

Police have stressed that this is not a terrorism-related incident. They added that the area has been cordoned off and that the situation is believed to be contained.

Police also appealed to the public to not “speculate or share pictures of the scene on social media or anywhere else.”

Luke Pollard, a member of parliament for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, tweeted that more people are being treated in hospital for injuries, and that at least one of those killed was a child.

“Just so unspeakably awful. My condolences and thoughts are with the families,” said Pollard on Twitter. “I’m utterly devastated that one of the people killed in the #keyham shooting was a child under ten years old.”

Gun-related homicides are rare in the United Kingdom. A mass shooting in 1996 prompted country’s government to tighten gun laws and ban private gun ownership.

This is a developing story…more to follow