Two Jamaican Nationals Murdered in 47 Days
The fact that two Jamaican nationals have been gunned down within 47 days is notable, as this is the only time in decades that two foreign nationals of the same country have been murdered in such close proximity in Bermuda.
The most recent time, to our knowledge, was over fifty years ago when there was a spate of killings in Bermuda that involved English women. One murder resulted in a conviction, in which 19 yr old Bermudian Wendell Lightbourne was convicted and sentenced to death, which was later commuted to a prison sentence, which he served overseas.
The two Jamaican citizens killed in Bermuda are George Lynch, killed this week on May 5th, and James Lawes, killed March 19th in a shooting in which another Jamaican was also shot.
Both men were killed in drive by shootings, and both are said to have no gang ties, with the Police themselves clearly stating Mr. Lynch was not known to them. Both gentlemen were married to Bermudians. Mr Lawes was employed as a barber, and Mr Lynch a houseman at King Edward Memorial Hospital.
There is no indication that the two incidents were related, with the only real connection being the nationality of the two victims. The Jamaican press has reported on both murders.
Governments including Australia, Britain, Canada and the United States issue travel warnings to their citizens if their nationals appear to be disproportionately the victims of crime.
