Tribute Video: Murder Victim Jason Smith
Tributes have been paid to 22-year-old Lance Corporal Jason Smith who was murdered yesterday in what the Police believe may be a case of mistaken identity.
A well rounded young man, Mr Smith attended Saltus Grammar School locally before heading off to college, played football for the PHC Zebras and served in the Bermuda Regiment, volunteering for the NCO cadre and attaining the rank of Lance Corporal.
Around 3:50am yesterday [May 1], Police and first responders attended a report of a shooting in the Overview Hill, Pembroke area. Mr Smith, who the Police said was shot at least two times, was rushed to the hospital via ambulance where he died as a result of his injuries.
Shortly after the murder, Assistant Commissioner of Police David Mirfield said, “Initial inquiries suggest that the victim may not have been the intended target,” and that it may have been a case of “mistaken identity.”
Mr Smith was a talented striker who played for the PHC Zebras. Most of the club members are still in shock, with the PHC family has been very affected by the loss of their teammate, said PHC Vice-President Mark Wade yesterday afternoon. He described Mr Smith as an integral part of the club who had grown up in their program.
Mr Wade said he watched him go off to college, and said he knew the potential that he had. On behalf of PHC President Chris Furbert, himself and the members, Mr Wade expressed condolences to Mr Smith’s family, and said their thoughts are with the family at this time.
The photo slideshow tribute below to Mr Smith was made by Antonio Belvedere, who knew Mr Smith since 2005. Describing him as “always happy,” and a person who “liked to have fun,” Mr Belvedere said that “Anyone that crossed his path would definitely have a good memory of him.”
Mr Belvedere, who has organized a peace march in the past, said he is “tired of seeing our young black men going down the drain the way they are,” and that to “see someone as innocent as Jason lose his life because of the crap that our island has came to is very sad, and I can’t imagine what his parents and close friends are thinking right now.”
He said Mr Smith was not a “gang member, just a young black male” trying to live his life.”It’s unfortunate Bermuda has come to this, we can’t be a perfect little paradise, but it has gotten out of hand now,” said Mr Belvedere.
Mr Smith’s tragic murder marked the fifth murder of 2011, following the murder of David Clarke on April 17th on North Shore, murder of Randy Robinson on March 31st on Border Lane, the murder of Jahmiko Leshore on March 1st in Devonshire, and the murder of Colford Ferguson on February 4th in Sandys. So far this year, Bermuda is averaging approximately one murder every 24 days.
Bernews extends our condolences to Mr Smith’s family and friends.
humans didn’t kill him. I now am a firm believer in reverse evolution. We’re becomming animals
MONSTERS! PREDATORS!! DEVILS!!
we are animals.some people jus dont have any discipline
This tragic loss MUST get us the people out there in full force to help clean up our beautiful island of these gun wielding thugs in honor of Jason that he did not die in vain. My heart is aching alongside all of his friends and family left behind.
RIP Jay and watch over us as the Angel you were and now are xo
Agreed! If this doesn’t spark a change in the community, I don’t know what will! Innocent blood has been spilled. Something HAS to be done! Jason wouldn’t harm a fly..this is ridiculous!
Words fail me…..it is way past the time for sorting the causes out. Sadly for another family Bermuda is failing and another innocent life has been wasted^^
This is just appalling and the GOVERNMENT NEED TO DO MORE with releasing/finding funds to COMBAT this problem!!!! I am sickened every time I read a news article that a young man is MURDERED! WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?? ARRESTS the THUGS!! FOLLOW THEIR EVERY MOVE!! HUNT THEM DOWN AS THEY HAVE THE VICTIMS!!!!!!!!!!!!
FED UP!!!
Since when are we to only travel at certain time or areas in BDA. This is our country, let’s take it back.
May God’s peace rest with the Smith family
Perhaps Bermuda needs to institute an island-wide curfew!
perhaps we do.
I agree.
Explain how an island wide curfew would work as we have had shootings and murders in broad daylught?
Good point ‘Can You Handle This.’
An island-wide curfew is a dumb idea. It would only work against the innocent people. How exactly are the police going to enforce a curfew when they can’t be everywhere at the sametime?
Secondly, what will happen if the police catch someone after hours? It’s not like they will get serious jail time for breaking a curfew. And what time do they expect the curfew to start; at midnight, 11pm, 10pm, 9pm?
An island-wide curfew is a ridiculous idea. It would also be very difficult to enforce.
Curfews have been used here before but were manned by a combination of police AND military, and were very effective then. However, they are unlikely to work in our current situation.
On a LIGHTER note, the excuses given for breaking the curfew ranged from hilarious to serious. I will not mention any names in order to protect the guilty.
And here is the call I was talking about. People are voluntarily restricting them selves. Let’s get this str8 shall we criminals do not care about the law that’s why they are criminals. How is restricting the innocent going to help the situation they will just come to your house like they do now. Come people the only way to combat this is for those who know something to talk to the police that is the only solution that is viable. Or do you think that we should invest in emotion inhibitors to stop the violence first we could give it to the ones convicted, then the ones at risk of becoming a criminal, and finally everyone just in case this is dumb sorry I think this was a movie called “Equilibrium”.
LOL not any more as we have suppressed that emotion
Here’s the deal. Until something like this happens to a child of a government official they are NOT going to take it very seriously. Look at all the gun crime in Bermuda. How many indicted and convicted? How many guns taken off the street? That’s right the little people that go on with their day to day lives are being affected right now. The big government types want to sit in the front pews in church, want to be invited to royal weddings and want that ALL important photo op. I’m just sayin’.
Yep that what $168K has bought us. NOTHING SAID, NOTHING DONE
You can’t keep blaming government. We all have a responsibility. Ask yourself, what are you doing to help solve the problem. Are you just whinning and complaining all day, everyday, doing nothing? Government can only do so much. It’s up to the community, which is all of us, to unite and tackle the problem head on.
Less talk – more action.
Government is taking this very seriously. Just because the public doesnt necessarily know everything that is going on, doesnt mean that nothing is being done.
I stand behind the view that Government cannot solve this alone. Money alone won’t do it. We need the community to be tired of it.
We need the mothers that are enabling these animals to get tired.
We need the girlfriends that are glorifying their boyfriends’ behaviors to get tired.
We need people that know what is going on, to speak up.
Legislation and punishments only work once we have witnesses and people to testify.
You cannot pass the buck all onto the Government for these murders.
It seems that the police knows the area of which most of this is coming from right? Monica road, Glebe Road down that way. Ok, take all the cops in that area and turn EVERY house upside down ransack the places and get the guns out! Lock them all up. And it does NOT take a village to raise a child. it takes a nurturing and loving FAMILY to raise a child. Nobody else gives a crap about anyone else’s child but their own. Maybe that’s the problem everybody is waiting for someone else to take care of their child.
Jason’s shooting did not take place in that ‘area’.
and i agree it takes a family. That is what we are sorely lacking.
I understand the incident did not happen there but that area seems to be ground zero for the guns and the goons.
It’s a shame that you haven’t actually been up in that area to really know that St. Monica’s Rd is not the trouble spot as you so boldly put it.I am not saying that the area doesn’t have it’s challenges, but be for real this is far bigger than just St. Monica’s RD. I come from that area and as a mother of 2 teenagers 1 away in colleage and the other one on the way, I really resent that comment, if you have been following the news you would know that most of the people that have been shot and with the same GUN have come from ST. MONICA’S RD. The problem in Bermuda today is that everyone is pointing the finger at everyone else instead of coming together as a people and giving up the actual culprits that are doing this. I agree with “sigh” the Goverment is taking this very serious but until the community on a whole gets together and starts naming these people and saying what they know there is only so much the Goverment and the Police can do, because trust me I have told my children any illegal activity that you choose to part take in I will gladly call the POLICE and have you taken into custody.
MOTHERS / FATHERS stop protecting your children when they are ruining the one place that you were never ashamed to call home and give them up ….. Money isn’t everything and if they are the ones making sure that you have a good lifestyle get up and go get a job and take and take care of yourself you are just as much to blame as they are because you condone what they are doing and are always the first one to say “NOT MY CHILD”. Stop it this generation is lost, this island is almost lost, and until “WE THE PEOPLE” stand united this will never stop.
Mam, I did not mean to offend anyone. And if I offended you, I apologize but we have to look at reality. Everyone has to live somewhere and some people have no choice in the matter of where they live. Now, look at the news stories it all seems to stem in that area. I know a lot of people have mentioned the fact that the island is small and anybody can get anywhere pretty fast. I also know that crime is not exclusive to one area but come on. If anyone sees something weird call it in anonymously. Don’t draw the curtains and do as in many big cities in the U.S. and say you don’t want to get involved. It is your neighborhood and your children’s neighborhood have these crime watch troops walking around with flashlights crooks and cockroaches hate light.
The people getting shot are from or have lived @ St.Monica’s rd and Glebe rd so how can they be the one’s shotting. Pay attention!!!!!!
And what happens when your house gets turned upside down and ransacked because you live in a “gang-territory”? Yes these are notorious areas but the residents are not all gang-members. As such they have rights!
“Sigh” great statements. We are all responsible. Governments don’t change…it’s the people, the grassroots that spark change. I’ll be real though I have no idea what I can do to help out. I think there are a lot of folks out there like me that are grappling with these situations because they are foreign to us thus we are looking for someone to lead us.
I think you’ve provided the most clarity of all of the posts. The main issue here is that I think almost all of us want to get involved and take a stand but don’t feel that we have any leader willing to give us some direction on how we can help. I want to do my part but I don’t have police training or political clout or any information on these thugs to know where to begin. Seems like those that do seemed to be more focused on other things like making sure we’ve paid our vehicle license fees. All of this talk about the community needs to get more involved makes it sound like we’re condoning taking the law into our own hands when our tax dollars pay for other trained people to keep us safe – because let’s be honest – those that know something most likely condone what’s happening so feel no need to snitch.
Firstly, my prayers go out to Mr. Smith’s family at their lost. I can’t imagine losing a child that has been gunned down in the street at what they’re calling a case of mistaken identity. That means it could be my son or your son next. Bermuda we’ve got to come together as an island to combat these horrific murders. It takes a whole village to raise one child, how many people do you think its going to take to fight against these travesties.
In the book of Colossians, it states “That if my people who are called by my name would humble themselves and pray, seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, than I will pray to the Father, forgive their sins and heal their land”.
How much longer can we see our children go out the door and see them never return. It’s going to have to be a combined effort of the Government, Police and the People of Bermuda.
You all have a good day and God bless.
Well said. I agree totally as a mother of a 17 year son.
My prayers go out to Jason’s family. This is truly an outrage and I am at a loss for words right now.
Honestly these guys are putting in more work than the POLICE! they are doing their research and hunting down people like animals…the police need to get off of their asses and do wtf they have to do!! enough is enough!!!
If these guys are hunting people to kill then, the police should do the same hunt to kill them!
My Heart goes out to the family and friends of Jason Smith….
If I were Police Commissioner GPS…I would have all my donut eating officers on 24/7 neighborhood stakeouts!!!
The police tells us they know who the bad apples are and where they lay their evil heads at night…so why would the BPS continue with USELESS road side stop and searches!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
We want more police stakeouts, more ferries, more busses, THESE THINGS COST MONEY THAT WE DON’T HAVE! Why don’t we have it? Partly because we’ve been financially incompetent as a country for years, partly because our MP’s are enjoying their $100k+ salaries while refusing pay cuts.
My heartfelt condolenses go out to Mr. & Mrs. Smith on the loss of their beloved son. So very sad.
This is no longer exclusively a Government issue! Wake up people! Yes, the Government need to put money into programmes that help to tackle the problems….but those problems extend to the home, the schools and the community at large! We as a community need to start taking responsibility for some of these issues. Behaviour is learned right from the very beginning in the homes and the schools when children are still young! Young adults don’t just wake up one day and decide that they want be insolent, ignorant and violent.
And I gotta say this……all the people moaning about the Government will probably STILL vote the same party in come next election. So that’s one soap box they need to get off of.
My heart goes out to the family of this young man. He had only just begun his life and he was heading down a positive path. This is truly tragic.
I read a comment yesterday (can’t remember where) and would like to repeat it on here. Instead of Bermuda parents making their kids breakfast yeaterday morning or attending church and carrying on with Sunday activities, Every parent of a child in their teens or older should have had a home inquisition to find out exactly where there kid was!!!
Women and men of Bermuda, It is your sons out there doing the shootings and it is your kids that are gang members. Step up and be the parents!! and if your kid is doing wrong, stop being in denial and the attitude of “NOT MY CHILD”. ( I do not have children but if i did you bet your bottom dollar that I would have done this)You grab this situation by the horms and turns these kids in. THEY ARE COMMITING CRIMES AND MURDER!! You are accesories to these crimes by being enablers. They are part of what is destroying this country as we know it.
Where was your son last night?? says:
May 1, 2011 at 10:07 am
Lets be real about this, somewhere in Bermuda the person or persons that shot this young man are home with their family.
The parents are doing their regular Sunday routine. Dad’s looking at tv and mom is cooking breakfast for the family. Mom is also on the phone talking 3 way to her girlfriends about the 22 year old who got shot and how this beautiful island we call home is gone to the dogs.
WHAT EVERY DAD AND MOM AROUND BDA SHOULD BE DOING IS ASKING THEIR SON, WHERE THE F@%# WAS YOUR A%# WHEN THIS YOUNG MAN GOT SHOT????
“Lets be real about this, somewhere in Bermuda the person or persons that shot this young man are home with their family.”
- don’t mean to generalize but more statistically likely that his family is his gang with dad in jail (if he knows who his dad is) and mom on drugs.
WELL SAID!!!
My heart goes out to the family of Jason, we must put the blame squarely on the vicious thugs, who are carrying our thes crimes, The police and government can only do so much, Anti-gang laws may help,but it’s the parents of these criminals that must be held accountable as well. We are all sadden and outraged about these murders,but again when will people start to tell what they know? I say NAME AND SHAME,once these thugs are exposed,it will be a lot harder for them to hide,the suspected criminals will be isolated.wanted posters should be put up around the Island,so everyone will know who they are, The governor must give the authority for the police to carry out these measures.
I have a 22 year old and I cannot sleep at night when he is not home. You just never know what will happen on this Island right now, so the anxiety is at an all time high if you have a son around this age.
I can recognize my son a mile away while he is riding his bike without seeing his face and I can tell you who is friends are from a distance while they are riding their bikes or just walking, as I know them, their characteristics etc. and I know all of these younger men know each other from somewhere as Bermuda is small so when they say mistaken idenity I want to know how?????? Is the trigger person Bermudian, that’s the question as they would not be familiar with who is who and is this trigger person being used to pull off this horrific murders? Because he is clearly making some mistakes. This time VERY Big!!!!!
In addition, I know that some of the people causing the havoc don’t need real reason to shoot, the hate, rage and nastiness they have inside of them will shoot you if the think you looked at them wrong or if they like your girl, they expect you to sit back while they make advances and if you say anything they threaten your life, like I said I have a son around this age who is not involved in this activity but who has been threaten by one of the ‘popular groups’ (need I say the name).
If you have something they want, they take it and you have no right to say anything to them, if you do your life is threatened. Our young men who want to do right are being bullied and they need us to help them.
We as parents need to help the Police and do whatever we can to help them put these low life animals away from society.
Now, I am not saying all of the people that have been shot at or killed are not involved in what has been labeled “gang” activity but some of them have been for other reasons which I feel maybe jealousy and and by an emotionally immature “sick” person at the control of a gun. When he finally matures if ever how will he feel looking back at what he has accomplished in life??????? NOTHING!!!!!
We might to release a list of gang members and hire a squad from jamaica or St. Lucia to deal with these thugs who are shooting, we need baygon to rid these roaches
I think there is a squad from one of the places listed that may have something to do with what is happening……
There you people g again blaming everyone but our own. Parents need to take responsibility for THEIR CHILDREN, don’t expect the Government or the police or anyone else to fix this problem. Parents you are the ones that have created these monsters, YOU NEED TO FIX IT.
GET OUR YOUNG BLACK MEN EDUCATED AND WITH JOBS..LEGALIZE WEED AND WATCH THE ECONOMY BOOM !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Here is what his mother said:
His plan was to go to town, then to a friend’s to pick up a car and, later, to Ice Queen for some food. “That’s what they always did. It didn’t happen that way. He never got to Ice Queen.”
Well, where did he go in town? Who was there? Did he have any incidents i.e. talk to a girl that maybe one of the ‘thugs’ wanted ( I know silly but that’s the mentality we are dealing with), did anyone see people leave around the same time he did when he left where he was in town?
To Police, did you get shells/casings if so test them and find out if anyone else was shot at or murdered from the gun that was used in this senseless murder.
Then from that you will find which so called gang to target. Then DOOR to DOOR!!!!!!!!!!!! MILITARY style.
Some of these low lifes hide in different parishes until the dust settles so travel both ends, bug phones, computer whatever you have to before another young men with promise gets killed by one of these pitiful snakes.
Yeah if she knows what places he said he went they could probably check security cameras at those places to see if he did have any minor incidents. I know it’s a stretch to believe but hey things happen and it doesn’t hurt to try, sadly I don’t think the police service thinks like that.
The Police Services uses many of those ideas. Ballistics tests are conducted whenever possible, hence the police being able to identify the caliber of bullet being fired in previous shootings. Those who were with him on the night will have already been questioned. This police service is not incapable, contrary to your belief. Two arrests were made within 72 hours of the previous murder to Jason Smith. The problem in Bermuda lies in the judiciary system, pinning the charges to the individual and finding witnesses to testify. Get your facts straight before you make such negative, false statements.
A fact is that yes often people are arrested within hours of a shooting..that’s easy and is expected..doesn’t impress me…when I hear that they have been charged and convicted ..than that’s where they get my votes….
This is what we need to do. The Police know who the gang members are. Take pictures of all the gang members and put them in the news paper so that the public can see who they all are. Once we know who they are than as a community we can all keep an eye on them. So when we see them out and about and if something happens we the public can say I saw this person in the area. I am not saying that because we see them out that something is going to happen, but what I am saying is that the Police need to harass them just like they are harassing the public. I hope you the public feel what I am saying.
My prayers go out to his family.
Firstly, it is not a crime to be a gang-member in Bermuda. Therefore posting their photos in the newspaper is an infringement of their rights. Until the legislation is changed that would not even be remotely possible. Secondly, many people know who the gang-members are, the problem is getting witnesses to talk.
Not a good idea.Posting photos of alleged gang members will make them targets for rival gangs! This will of course cause an increase in violence.
Dear Bermuda, this will stop only when a band of G-d Conscious citizens who fear nothing but G-d come together and wage holy war on these criminals. It is NOT the police’s full responsibility. The police force is an institution of CITIZENS! When it gets beyond their control we need to bring REINFORCEMENTS from the CITIZENRY! If people don’t understand what it means to be a citizen they’ll continue blaming the police.
For all Families & Friends affected by gun voilence that are in need of prayer and support please come to Hamilton Princess this evening @ 6pm.
Sorry this was posted in error.
Date to be advised.
You will be truely missed baby boy! mwah!
R.I.P Jay, I’m glad I had the pleasure of getting to know you while you still walked this earth. It won’t be the same not seeing you around anymore. I pray for your family. All your boy’s will never forget you.. You’re in a better place now mate, if you see Adam up there tell him I miss and love him…
Gone but never forgotten.
I am sitting here crying and I dont even know him. This is so tragic. He was obviously a decent person and did not deserve this. May his killer/s be brought to justice and rot in hell.
We need to stop blaming the government and police. Yes, it’s their jobs to find them but as a community, I’m pretty sure that there are people otu there that know. It’s sad that it seems that almost every two weeks now, the Island gets news of another senseless murder. When will mothers stop losing their sons, and children their fathers. Its heartbreaking that there are really so cold blooded killers out there. Once we come together and put an end to this, the way in which some struggle will be over. I just hope it comes sooner rather than later.
RIP Jason you’re gonna be missed.
To the Family of Jason, My Heart aches for you, I shead tears for your son I never knew personally. To the people who, if any, have been paid off to allow a Gun and Bulletts to Pass, you have Blood on your hands and will have to answer for your actions, To the Police, be relentless in your pursuit!, To the Govenor who is responsible for internal security WHERE ARE YOU?! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! To us Bermudians lets come together in the thousands with a plan to rid this country of these scum bags, we need to think outside the box. These roaches need to be treated as such and eliminated!!
Stop children having children. Improve education. Maintain the family unit. Ban religion.
Interesting. You list 3 Biblical principles as your solution and then as your 4th you say “Ban Religion”. Are you making a distinction between “religion” and teh Bible? Just trying to understand your position.
I meant Religion. The Bible is one religion – Christianity. They should all be banned. The Christian God is a fictional character. So are all the other Gods. All BS fed to simple people to get them under control. It ain’t working.
Where then, do you get the ideas that children having children is bad? or supporting and maintaining the family unit is a good thing. I guess what I am getting at is, on what standard are you basing what is good and what is bad? What informs your decisions / opinions ?
You still there?
Despite what you think, you do not need the Bible to decide what is good and bad. Sorry, but that’s the way it is.
With all due respect, you don’t know what I think. Neither have you answered the question above. “that’s the way it is” does not constitute an answer. I believe that neither of you answered it because you can’t. I would be happy to be proven wrong but I would be even happier if you just took a crack at answering it.
It might not be an answer to you. But then you believe in a big fairy man in the sky.
If you are able to tell me what I believe, surely you can answer my question. Or…
Talk in riddles all you want – thats what the Bible does to you. You sure were brainwashed as a child. Feel very sorry for you.
My condolences goes out to you my sister, my best friend. You, Michael and family are in my prayers. To die in Christ is to gain Eternal Life. We will see Jason again. I love you all so much. I will be talking to you soon.
Your Sis and best Friend
Marty, Dallas, Texas
Honestly…..i am just so sick and tired of these damn wanna be robo cops!!!! Why the hell they aint doing they damn JOB!!!! It’s too much now!!! They need to watch the show ..first 48!!!! That island is too small for these so called police not to be catching anyone!!! Come on now!!! My heart goes out to the families in mourning…xoxo I myself have had a family member lost due to gun violence ….i cant take it no more!!!! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!!
I am willing to volunteer my time and efforts in stopping this crazyness.
The police need to step up there investigations, interrogations or something..their never going to be around to stop the shooting unfortunately but you can’t tell me all these murders are going unsolved guys are flying away for years living the good life then come back home for trials years after the fact …smh ….personally I don’t think theirs anything any 1 can do church…government … Family whoever guys are spun in Bermy … I’m a bermudian living In the states and feel safer out here in any hood or borough then Bermuda … and 4 all off y’all not snitchin cause your favorite rap artist says not too all I can say is pathetic…
R.I.P jay big up to a young bermudian who was actually on the right track- but yet still some one robbed us of this blessing!! here we have a family suffering now because there sons death was due to a mistaken identity! no connection with gangs never in any trouble clean slate and this is the payment jason gets for being a great man!! this is a totally random killing and i do not kno how that 5 foot 4 stocky build killer (devil) can go on living with the fact that he messed up big time and took the life of a brilliant person!! REST IN PEACE JASON SMITH<3 <3 bless up
@ The Cross eyed bear- what riddles are you referring to? I asked a straight question that you have jumped through hoops and hurled insults in an effort to avoid answering. I don’t think I have ever seen such a shameless display of avoidance and diversion. You need not feel sorry for me though. At least I know why I believe what I believe. The same cannot be said for you given your inability to answer a simple question. As a side, you do realize that your “brainwash” argument goes both ways right? It’s no matter. I was actually interested in your position, assuming that there was an intellectual answer behind it somewhere. You have made it quite clear to me that if ever I am looking for intellect, pass by you.
@Truth. You question my intellect? You believe in fairy stories and a magic man in the sky. HAHAHAHA. All I was saying is you don;t need the Bible to figure out what is good and what is bad. The principles you mentioned are in the Bible yes – but they aren’t ONLY in the Bible. The brainwashing of young children in telling them that there is a fairy man in the sky is clearly very dangerous. More blood has been shed in the name of God than any other reason. My imaginary friend is better than yours is the entire cause of the worlds wars. No need to question my intellect – but I seriously question yours.