Plymouth shooting: attack could be reclassified as terrorism due to Jake Davison’s “incel” links | UK news

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The shooting in Plymouth may be reclassified as a terrorist attack, according to Devon and Cornwall Police.

The force said in a statement that the initial decision not to declare Jake Davison’s outburst as terrorism was made by the National Police Counter Terrorism Network.

But after investigations into Davison’s links to the “Insel” movement – which means involuntary celibacy – that may change.

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Killing Plymouth: One minute’s silence

In a 12-minute attack Thursday night, Davison, 22, killed five people with a shotgun before killing himself.

He began shooting his mother, Maxine Davison, 51, in Keyham before killing Sophie Martin, 3, and her father, Lee Martin, 43.

Davison then shot Stephen Washington, 59, and Kate Shepherd, 66, before turning the gun at himself.

After the attack, Devon and Cornwall Police Chief Sean Sawyer said: “We do not contemplate terrorism or a connection with any far-right group.”

“The determination that the incident was not a terrorist incident was taken by the National Counter Terrorism Network following a referral from Devon and Cornwall Police,” a force spokeswoman said in a statement on Monday.

“This will be kept under constant review and further referral should new information emerge.

Photo: Maxine Jake Davison’s mother was his first victim Photo: Lee Martin and his three-year-old daughter Sophie also died in the shooting

“We are aware of Davison’s interest in and involvement with the Incel movement and his use of various online platforms, and this constitutes a key thread in the ongoing police investigation.”

Under UK law, terrorism is defined as: “The use or threat of action, both within and outside of the United Kingdom, with the aim of influencing any intergovernmental organization or to intimidate a public. It must also have for the purpose of promoting a political, religious, racial or ideological cause.”

Photo: Stephen Washington also lost his life Photo: Victim Kate Shepherd died in hospital

Following the shooting, discussions took place about whether the events fueled by the “reproductive” ideology should be classified as terrorist.

“This kind of extreme misogyny of the kind we’ve seen here and in terms of internal society is a threat to all women and, ultimately, all of our communities,” said the former Northwest Attorney, Nazir Afzal.

Jonathan Hall QC, independent reviewer of the Terrorism Act, said: “It fits uncomfortably with the way authorities understand ideologies. It appears to be part of right-wing terrorism but it really isn’t. In fact, it is completely separate from it. It’s a different kind of ideology.” .

Photo: Elliot Rodger killed six people in 2014

Other attacks motivated by “insel” ideology include the 2014 stabbings and shootings by Elliot Rodger, 22, that killed six people in Isla Vista, California.

Last month, Trace Jenko, 21, of Ohio, was charged with plotting a mass shooting targeting women at sororities, calling himself a “going down.”

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