David Cameron pledged today to do everything possible to help communities "shattered" by the killing spree in Cumbria as he revealed that at least five people had died.
Updating the Commons at the start of Prime Minister's Questions, he said: "The House will be alarmed and shocked by the events unfolding in Cumbria today.
"Police were called to Whitehaven at 10.35 this morning after shots were fired by a man. And I regret to report that a number of people have been shot and at least five people have died.
"I can confirm that a body of a gunman has been found by police."
He went on: "The Chief Constable of Cumbria is working closely with other forces and other emergency services to ensure a coordinated response to these rapidly moving events.
"The Government will do everything it possibly can to help the local community and those affected and to keep the House informed.
"When lives and communities are suddenly shattered in this way, our thoughts should be with all those caught up in these tragic events, especially the families and friends of those killed or injured."
There would be a full Commons statement tomorrow, he said.
The Prime Minister also denounced the raid on the Gaza aid flotilla as "completely unacceptable" and deplored the loss of life.
Mr Cameron said: "We should do everything we can to make sure this doesn't happen again," he told a crowded Commons, moments before Foreign Secretary William Hague was due to make a statement on the killing of several civilians in the Israeli-led raid.
"Friends of Israel - and I count myself a friend of Israel - should be saying to the Israelis that the blockade actually strengthens Hamas's grip on the economy and on Gaza, and it's in their own interests to lift it and allow these vital supplies to get through."
More than 40 Britons detained during the raid on the aid flotilla were being released and deported today.
In total, 679 people were taken prisoner during the Israeli military-led action which saw nine civilians killed.
Match of Today
David Cameron v Harriet Harman
Ground: Prime Minister's Questions
Kickoff: 3pm
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Crowds baying for a claws-out catfight at Cameron's PMQT debut were disappointed. The new PM looked relaxed. He chucked out the fat A4 folder of crib notes that Gordon Brown always relied on and his hands have stopped shaking. In any case, the mood was very muted after the Cumbria shootings.
Harman did her best to liven things up, attacking the married couples tax allowance ("on this, Nick agrees with me!") and the plan to give alleged rapists anonymity until guilty. But Cameron was unflappable, logical, polite and reasonable. His best goal was disclosing that the Culture Department wasted £140 per staffer on cut flowers and pot plants. A cool start.
Score: Cameron 3. Harman, 1
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