Police On Shooting: “Group Was Fired On”

[Updated] Watch a live webcast below of a press conference being hosted by the Bermuda Police Service this afternoon [Mar.28] about the three confirmed weekend shootings, one of which left a 16-year-old male hospitalised.

At around 10:20pm on Friday [Mar. 25] shots were fired at the junction of Cedar Avenue & Laffan Street. Markers on the scene indicate that at least eight shots may have been fired. There were no reported injuries

Approximately 90 minutes later – at around 11:50pm on Friday – Police responded to a report of another shooting on Rambling Lane, located off Parsons Road. A 16-year-old male was shot and rushed to the hospital via ambulance, where he was listed in stable condition in the ICU.

About 13 hours later – at around 1:30pm on Saturday – gunshots were fired again in the same Rambling Lane area, while plain-clothed Police officers from the Forensic Support Unit and the Serious Crime Unit were in the area processing the scene of the shooting the night before. There were no reported injuries.

We are expecting Police Commissioner Michael Desilva and Assistant Police Commissioner Paul Wright to start speaking soon. Tune in below:

Update, full 13 minute replay now available:

Update #1: Assistant Police Commissioner Paul Wright said it appears that it “appears the group was fired upon” in the third shooting incident, and said it has left many shaken. One bullet casing was recovered from the scene, very close to where the group was standing. Police Commissioner Michael Desilva said the community should be outraged by these events. He said the Police will “relentlessly pursue” those responsible. He publically commended Police officers for bravery.

Update #2: When asked if the “phone was ringing off the hook” with tips, Police Commissioner Michael Desilva said no. Assistant Police Commissioner Paul Wright said the 16-yr-old victim is still listed as stable in the ICU. Said the Police will act swiftly on any information received, and asked that people do not sit by and protect people will silence.

Update #3: Assistant Police Commissioner Paul Wright speaks on safety equipment, saying they advise officers wear protective vests at all times.

Update #4: When asked about the ambulance waiting for a Police escort [video], Police Commissioner Michael Desilva said they have a protocol in place, with Police ensuring the scene is secure.

Update #5: Police Commissioner Michael Desilva calls it one of the most reckless acts they have seen. Said crowd the shooter fired into included area residents, Police, and children. Says they do not know who it is but those that “live in the area do, and they need to tell us.”

Update #6: Press Conference now over. Replay is now up.

Update #7: In relation to the second shooting [where the 16 yr old was shot] they said they would like to speak to two men who Police say “may have been the intended targets.” The two men were seen leaving the area on orange Yamaha motorcycles. The victim was standing with a group of other youths, and shot by the gunmen who approached on foot, dressed in dark clothing, perhaps with a white t-shirt with a dark coloured hooded top. The suspect also had woollen cap pulled over his face and wearing gloves. He may have arrived at the scene as the passenger on a bike, with another man dressed all in black.

Update #8: Full Police statements. Assistant Commissioner of Police Paul Wright:

Three firearms incidents occurred in less than 15 hours in North Hamilton.

The first involved a report of gunshots occurring at 10:20pm Friday, March 25th 2011. A scene was located at the junction of Laffan Street & Cedar Avenue where a number of shell casings and a bullet head were recovered.

There is no indication that any person was injured as a result. Police would like to speak with two men who may have been the intended targets who were seen leaving the area on orange Yamaha motorcycles.

The second incident is a confirmed shooting occurring at 11:50pm Friday, March 25th 2011. Police received several 911 calls concerning a male shot in the Rambling Lane, Pembroke area. The victim is a 16 year old male who lives nearby. The victim was standing with a group of other youths when he was shot by the gunman who approached on foot. The victim received multiple gun shot wounds and is now in Intensive Care at the hospital in ‘stable’ condition.

A full investigation by the Serious Crime Unit was commenced and the scene was preserved and held by the police for further examination in daylight. We do not yet have a named suspect but eye witness accounts indicate the gunman was dressed in a white tee shirt with dark coloured hooded top, woollen cap and wearing gloves. He may have arrived at the scene as the pillion passenger on a motorcycle ridden by another male dressed all in black.

During the morning of Saturday, March 26th 2011 officers completed their forensic examinations at Rambling Lane and released the crime scene. Several police officers dressed in plain clothes were still at that location in company with several other local residents, including some children when they heard a gunshot.

A single bullet head was recovered very close to where the group was standing and it appears the group was fired upon. The incident has left everyone very shaken, including the police officers. This was a callous and cowardly act that placed everyone in mortal danger.

Anyone with any information about these recent confirmed firearm incidents is encouraged to contact the Serious Crime Unit on 295-0011 or the independent, confidential Crime Stoppers Bermuda hotline on 800-8477.

Commissioner Michael DeSilva:

The community should be outraged by these incidents and our telephones and those at Crime Stoppers should be ringing off the hook as concerned citizens phone in any information – however seemingly insignificant – that might help the police to recover guns and take these reckless & dangerous gunmen off the streets for a long time.

The Bermuda Police Service will relentlessly pursue all serious crime investigations in an effort to identify and arrest those responsible and prevent any escalation of gang violence or retaliation attacks. I want to publicly commend the bravery of our police officers who are working so hard to make Bermuda safer and I want to remind you that the Bermuda Police Service relies on public support to achieve this.

Our communities owe no refuge to these callous criminals that shoot their guns at groups of innocent people in densely populated neighborhoods. They clearly have no regard for who might be injured or killed. I urge anyone with any information not to protect these criminals with your silence. Call the police and your information will be swiftly acted upon.

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