The widow of Stephen Washington, one of the victims of the Plymouth shootings, has paid tribute to her “soulmate”.

Mr Washington, 59, was shot dead in Keyham on Thursday by 22-year-old Jake Davison, who killed four other people before turning the gun on himself.

A family statement issued through Devon and Cornwall Police said: “Devoted wife Sheila described Stephen as her soulmate and said: ‘Fly high, you’ve earnt your angel wings’.

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“Stephen was a friendly, outgoing person. He would help anyone at the drop of a hat, he loved his animals and was often seen walking his two huskies in the area.

“Stephen was a devoted family man, a loving husband, father, grandfather and best friend.

“Since the devastating events a couple of days ago, our world has been turned upside down in the blink of an eye and he will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him.

“Our hearts and thoughts are with the families also affected by this tragic incident.”

Earlier on Sunday the cousin of Lee Martyn, 43, who was shot along with his three-year-old daughter daughter Sophie, described him as having “the kindest heart, would do anything for anybody”.

Jess Morcom, a journalist at PlymouthLive said “you only had to take one look at him to see how much he loved and adored his family”.

“I was always so proud to be able to say you were my cousin,” she added. “The world is going to be a much darker place without you in it.”

In a tribute to Sophie, Ms Morcom said her family had been “truly blessed” to have “seen you grow into such a beautiful, funny and clever girl” over the three years of her life.

“My heart hurts so much thinking about how it should have been so many more. I will miss your cheekiness and your dancing the most.”

Many tributes for Mr Martyn and his daughter, including flowers, cuddly toys and candles, have been left at locations close to the scene in Keyham.

The gunman also killed his mother, Maxine Davison, also known as Maxine Chapman, 51, and Kate Shepherd, 66.

During a service for the victims at a church close to the attack, Father David Way asked the congregation to pray for those killed, adding: “We pray also for peace for Jake.”

Mr Way, parish priest at St Thomas’ Church in Keyham, told the PA news agency: “Those people who have died, we have to keep those in our prayers, but also the loved ones which have been left behind.

“I’m hoping we can break any cycle of anger, as it were, and bring a cycle of love for everybody involved.”

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