BBC documentary explores harrowing Plymouth shootings

Nearly three years on from the devastating Plymouth shooting that claimed the lives of five people, BBC Three is airing a documentary exploring what may have sparked shooter Jake Davison's rampage.

On the evening of August 12, 2021, 22-year-old Davison shot and killed five people in Keyham - Maxine Davison, aged 50, Lee Martyn, aged 40, Sophie Martyn, aged three, Stephen Washington, aged 59 and Kate Shepherd, aged 66.

He then turned the gun on himself and took his own life in front of brave police officer Pc Zachary Printer, who has since been included on the King’s first Civilian Gallantry List, as PlymouthLive reports.

The harrowing incident was the largest mass shooting on UK soil in over a decade - and now, BBC Three is delving into how Davison became one of the country's most lethal killers.

The one-off documentary episode, which contains 'very strong language and upsetting scenes' is airing tonight (Thursday, June 27) at 9pm. It will explore Davison's connection to the incel movement - a deeply misogynistic ideology that is seemingly growing at an alarming rate, and has been linked to violent extremism.

The 45-minute episode will feature interviews from those who knew Davison, as well as those close to the victims including Lee Martyn's brother Scott, and others connected to the case including PlymouthLive's Crime Reporter Carl Eve who was the first reporter on the scene.

And it will feature clips of videos and posts uploaded by Davison to internet forums in the months leading up to the shooting, indicating his deteriorating mental health and his apparent alienation from those around him.

The programme also claims it will raise questions about the support given to 'troubled kids' - and will expose a series of missed opportunities and a catalogue of failures that allowed a dangerous individual to remain in possession of a legal firearm.

You can watch the documentary tonight at 9pm on BBC Three.