Readers have shared their condolences following the tragic news of a mass shooting that claimed five innocent lives in Plymouth.

The incident took place on Thursday, where three women and two males were shot by a man later identified by police as 22-year-old Jake Davison.

One of the victims was his mother, 51-year-old Maxine Davison, police confirmed, while another was reportedly a three-year-old girl.

Applicants for permission to own a firearm or shotgun will be subject to social media checks in the wake of the Plymouth mass shooting, the Government has since announced.

Questions are continuing to mount over how Davison, obtained a firearms licence and carried out his spree.

A minute's silence was held in the city yesterday, as the community and civic leaders unite to mourn and reflect on last week's devastating events.

It comes after the family of victim Stephen Washington, 59, said their world "has been turned upside down in the blink of an eye".

Posting on the News & Star Facebook page, Yvonne Pauline said: "The more information we get the worse it gets.

"Can’t help but think this could have been avoided if someone had listened to his mum asking the police and mental health services to assess him and his dad begging the police not to give him his gun back.

"So, so sad."

Tommy Macdonald said: "I remember what happened in Whitehaven and Derrick Bird.

"Fast forward to now and it's a similar situation, has the government learned nothing, and gun licences are apparently still easily handed out?

"My heart goes out to all the innocents , especially the wee three-year-old girl and her dad, poor souls."

Julie Campbell posted: "He should have never been given back the weapon in the first place."

Linda Dixon wrote: "Stand with the innocents. Tragedy beyond belief."

Janette Millar added: "Very sad."