On August 12, 22-year old Jake Davison killed his mother and four others (including a 3-year old girl) in Plymouth, UK, before taking his own life. Despite initial police statements that this was not a series of acts of terrorism the ‘he was an incel’ bandwagon got going fairly quickly. What we know does not, however, give much support to the theory.
Phil Gurski is joined by the world’s foremost authority on incels, Naama Kates, to look at this case and at more general issues surrounding what we call terrorism.
Related: What the media gets wrong about incels
If the ins and outs of terrorism, extremism, national security and public safety are of interest to you, subscribe to receive free content by former Canadian intelligence analyst and author Phil Gurski on these issues.
About my guest Naama Kates
Naama Kates is an investigative journalist and host of the podcast “Incel” which dives deep inside the incel community.
About the host Phil Gurski
Phil Gurski is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. and Programme Director for the Security, Economics and Technology (SET) hub at the University of Ottawa’s Professional Development Institute (PDI). He worked as a senior strategic analyst at CSIS (Canadian Security Intelligence Service) from 2001-2015, specializing in violent Islamist-inspired homegrown terrorism and radicalisation.
Incels
by Naama Kates
Investigative journalist Naama Kates dives deep inside the incel community. Incel is shorthand for involuntary celibate. Follow Naama’s journey.
Listen to more episodes:
Can terrorists also be guilty of war crimes?
Episode 255 – Are ISIS terrorists also engaged in what are known as war crimes? War is part of human history alas….
Does TikTok really pose a ‘national security’ threat?
Episode 254- Would the banning of TikTok enhance Western security? That TikTok is a very popular social media platform is not debatable….
What’s in store for terrorism in Africa in 2025?
Episode 253 – Another bad year for terrorism in Africa? In its 2024 report The Global Terrorism Index, the Institute for Economics…
2 replies on “Naama Kates – The Plymouth shooting and what the media gets wrong about incels”
Incels make no sense. If someone needs sex so bad, why turn to terrorism? Just get a few dollars together; and call the right he/her/them/it. Sex is sex, a partner is not just a physical and cash exchage. “I wanna get laid” in your words, Professor Spy. Anyone who kills a 3 year old girl is a *******.
P.S. I live the baby crying in the back ground, so cute! 🙂
Agreed! Thanks for commenting!