father of Plymouth shooter Jake Davison said he tried to warn police not to give his son shotgun license because he lived in “volatile environment”.
Davison used a Weatherby pump-action shotgun to kill five people on August 12, 2021 in Keyham area of in city before turning on gun on myself. he killed his mother Maxine, 51, after they had a fight home before shooting dead Sophie Martin, three, her father Lee, 43, Stephen Washington, 59, and Kate Shepherd, 66.
Giving evidence at the trial in Exeter, his father Mark Davison, said: “I tried to stop that boy from getting a shotgun because he lived in volatile environment. They said they would get back in touch with I think I spoke to support staff. I thought fact I made a complaint would be enough, I chased after her up afterwards. I said I’m Jake’s father, he lived in volatile environment.
“I explained that the doors were broken, and said that he was autistic, and said that I had criminal record to prevent me from getting it gun? I tried absolute best to get the attention of the police, that’s why I said it.
Davison, a fisherman, said he expected police to take his complaint about the shotgun seriously, adding: “I was confident the case would be looked into. We’re not talking about a water gun, I was pretty sure which in it would be enough for him to be investigated.”
Davison has applied for gun certificate in July 2017 and one was issued by Devon and Cornwall Police in January 2018, which was valid for five years. force revoked Davison’s license and seized his shotgun in 2020 after Davison attacked two teenagers. in park, but returned them in 2021 – a few weeks before the murders.
Davison described how his son took keen interest in weapons and he knew he was looking at them on Internet.
He said he tried to warn Maxine who he separated from, about their sons ability soak up information which he supplied down to his autism.
“He gets wet up information very good,” said Davison. “I told Maxine, ‘You should try to minimize what he takes.’ in [online]but she shot me down in flame. I didn’t really address it more”.
The hearing continues.
