PEOPLE in Tavistock and around West Devon and East Cornwall fell silent at 11am to remember those who had tragically lost their lives in the shootings in Plymouth last Thursday night.

A large gathering assembled on the Church Green at St Eustachius’ Church in Tavistock, where they heard the church bell toll and a message and prayers from Rev Sue Tucker.

Rev Tucker said: ’As with the rest of the country the people of Tavistock were shocked and horrified as the shootings in Plymouth were conveyed through social media.

’In Keyham, in a small tight knit community on the edge of the city of Plymouth, the unimaginable happened.

’On a warm, sunny evening as people were out and about enjoying the evening sunshine, a gunman went on the rampage, five people were shot dead, two seriously injured, with the gunman finally turning the gun on himself. In a few short minutes the lives of people were turned upside down, the unimaginable had happened, and their lives will never be the same.

’Many are mourning the loss of loved ones and the community as a whole find themselves reeling from the horrors of that evening.

’We find it hard to comprehend why this should have happened but in all the darkness the light of Christ could be seen in the caring of neighbours, the swift response from the emergency services, the love shown by the communities of faith and the local school.

’At eleven o’ clock as a mark of respect joining with the people of Plymouth, the people of Tavistock will hold a minute’s silence to remember those who have lost their lives and for those who mourn their passing.’

After the minute’s silence people were invited to light a candle inside the church.