Video: Weeks & Commissiong On Double Murder
Earlier today [Jan 24] Area MPs Michael Weeks and Rolfe Commissiong spoke with the media following last night’s double murder which took the lives of Rico Furbert, 25, and Haile ‘Star Child’ Outerbridge, 34.
The two men were chased into at Belvin’s Variety Store on Happy Valley Road in Pembroke, and shot multiple times. The police released CCTV images of the shooter, and also confirmed the arrest of a 21-year-old Sandys man in connection with the incident.
Mr Commissiong said that besides the criminal justice response to this tragic incident, “we must also focus on the underlying causes which are causing these behaviours to proliferate…particularly among working class young black men and to be situated in working class black communities all up and down the country.
“We cannot be in denial about this,” said the Pembroke South East MP. “Until we learn to talk the hard truth about what is going on…as I have attempted to do over the last 20 years, even before becoming a Member of Parliament as many of you know….we are still going to be finding ourselves spinning our wheels in trying to reduce and quell in what is becoming a social threat to all of Bermuda.”
Mr Weeks, who recently suffered his own tragedy after losing his son in a traffic collision, extended his sympathies to the family and appealed to the community to work together.
“These guys are not just dropping out of the sky, somebody is harbouring them. Somebody knows who these people are…where they are. We just need to come together as a community,” said Mr Weeks.
The investigation continues, and anyone with any information is asked to contact the Serious Crime Unit on 247-1739 & 247-1340 or on the confidential & independent Crime Stoppers hotline 800-8477 (TIPS).
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I dont want to be negative but…COME ON ROLFE! It is not all about you!
Rolfe is the original Gunfather.
There is something about Rolfe & the a crime that involves a gun that just does not sit well. Can’t quite put the finger on it.
Well spoken and insightful.
Leave Rolfe alone. He can single handedly solve the gun problem. Are you forgetting that he is a trailblazer in gunplay?
MP Weeks spoke with passion. My sympathy goes out to him as well as the families that lost sons.
I, like many others have no interest in anything you have to say Commissiong
Working class young black men? These guys work now? Murder is a whole different class and I don’t know what level of disenfranchised you have to be to take a life… Why it has to be that the shooters are victims of a colonial white powered country/world? Why can’t it be there is some gang leader somewhere calling the shots and abusing his own black people to commit these heinous acts against others of his own black people? But were supposed to blame someone else? The gang leaders and the shooters are making their own choices… Anyways I guess they missed the part in the song where Star Child sang “badness outa style”…
Mr. Weeks, you speak from your heart…. and my heart goes out to you for your loss.
Mr. Commissiong, it seems it’s all about you and what you have done with the Quincy report…. why not try speaking from your heart.
Further, why not let Mr. Weeks speak more…. he definately has more substance…. it’s not all you!
I agree 100% . Mr. Weeks was definately taking the right approach , asking the community to come together. The Rolfe speaks and and all I heard was “me, me, me, I, I ,I” and a bunch of excuses and comments to make the gunman feel like the “victim”.
Next time – and I hope there will not have to be a next time – I hope Mr. Weeks leaves Rolfe out of his press conference.
Perhaps it hasn’t occurred to you that Weeks may have said all that he had in him to say at that time.
You can say all the negative things about Commissiong all you want, but one thing is certain, he doesn’t faint from calling a spade a spade, like so many others. The truth is, it’s the TRUTH which you haters can’t stand and especially when it falls from the lips of a Black man.
Mr. Weeks, I have a great deal of time for you and my sympathy goes out to you and your family after the loss of your son – but please, do not give tht warped, twisted, self centred creep standing next to you any credibility or kudos by letting him tag along with beside you. Rolfe is a classic example of what happens when good people say nothing.
Can we stop for a minute….lim an so disgusted with the negative demoralizing behavior we exhibit on this site and radio talk shows . I’ve been out of this island for several years and never experience such down right rudeness like this…we call ourselves Bermudians,but are we truly exhibiting bermudians values….love, respect, caring, etc…….please stop being a promblem, living in someone’s past and help…… Kudos to Rolfe and Mr. Weeks cause they don’t.
Rolfe is a first class jerk, period.
All the time he’s got it recorded and just puts the mic in his pocket and presses play…….
LOL
why you came back Bermuda, you should of stayed where you was, as I see you no there is no better place than bermuda your home. you are very negative pack up and go back as you are not a part of the solution you are full of drama.
You’re correct Right is Right but don’t tell them that, they can’t see it themselves.
Rolfe needs to shed his suit and be himself. Oooops. that may be worse.
Stand tall Mr. Weeks you are loved.
I for one, do not ever want to see Ralph in any form of power, it’s all about him and he is very racist.
For someone who is so anti… Rolfe sure makes every effort to look like them. Shed your clown suit Rolf,the circus is over.
So, Mbaya, how does wearing a suit, shirt and tie make him look like a white person? This is classic attire, worn by most men of any race around the world, in business, government or formal situations. What would you rather him wear to have him identify himself as a being black man? Inquiring minds would like to know.
Commissiong, your words are like a hollow cedar log. You may forget easily but the public does not. You used to use the same weapon that these thugs are using for murders today to gain money from a bank back in the day. I have no respect for enablers like you that do nothing but blame … for everything! As for Mr. Weeks…bless up and keep spreading your word. Peace!
I bet you the suppliers of weapons and drugs in Bermuda do not look like Rolf. Their master plan is to exterminate Blacks – though too few of us know it.
Our choices have consequences. To Rolfe’s constant claim that these people are just victims, when we choose a life that involves drugs and/or gangs and guns it’s likely not to end well. There is no doubt that life has its challenges but if a person shows no interest in their own life, there is really little anyone else can do for them. There are lots of services and support for those who do want to live a healthy and productive life.
I agree with you 100%
Actually Mr. Commissiong is extremely knowledgeable and articulate on this subject and the causes. Yes, he may have a personality that has created a barrier for potential listeners but the fact remains that he does understand the underlying causes. We don’t have to like the person who is the bearer of truths but we can at the very least listen with an open mind.
Why don’t you and CURB request that people such as Mr. Commissiong also listen to others with an open mind?
Why does CURB believe that they are always right and disregard others POVs?
Frances, you’re correct. However if you look at other political figures that aren’t widely accepted you’ll also see they too are judged & shut out before the content of their message is ever received. Yet Bermuda wonders why we’re in shambles.
Frances, I concur with you 100+%!
It really doesn’t matter what the anonymous posters on this site feel about Rolfe Commissiong. The fact of the matter is that the voters of Constituency 21 voted for him instead of Jeff Baron, in spite of his impeccable record.
The other thing is that the mothers of the two young men have faith in Rolfe and appreciate his contribution to the community so much so that one of them assisted Rolfe in his election campaign.
Let us not forget that Rolfe is not the only Member of Parliament who has turned his life around.
The fact that the voters of 21 voted for Rolfe with his record instead of Jeff, as you admit, impeccable record, says an awful lot about the voters of 21 & what they support doesn’t it.
Oh yeah, Laverne, who else has turned their lives around & become productive members of society? Remind us. Did their crimes involve guns?
It was no big accomplishment. It was one of the PLP’s biggest safe seats and just how well Jeff Baron did speaks volumes. I’m glad Rolfe Commissiong was elected because it ensures the younger generation will continue to fall away from the PLP though divisive messages like his.
You still don’t get why the PLP lost a large number of younger voters, do you?
@C.B.A.——I’m glad you are young enjoy your life coz, when you get older; unless the present world situation reverses, you too will find out what Rolf Commissiong is speaking about is real and you will find out about the divisiveness .Just remember Rolfe and others helped pave a way for you to have it easier but the system is still the same so I have no doubt that most young people will find out like I found out when I got older what it is all about..I can guarentee you that no matter how successful you may think you have become there will be race hurdles for you to climb..All the best!
How did Rolfe pave the way for anyone???? From Jail? By Uusing a gun? By robbing a bank??? Your statement is disrespectful to those like MLK that found a way to influence without anger, hate and use of guns!!!
Perhaps others helped pave the pay, but Rolfe – ahhh NOPE?!!!
Rich, indeed, coming from their gun toting head hater.
Also, I am sure that there are many mothers (and fathers) in Bermuda who wish that their sons would follow the example that Rolfe has set.
In my mind, those of you who spend your time anonymously posting vile comments on this site and others are no better than those gunmen who hide behind masks and visors while shooting and killing other young Bermudian men. They do it with guns, you do it with words. Shame on you!!
Who comments more frequently than you? What, because you do it with your real name it’s okay? Do you remember the things you said about the charities helping seniors prior to the election?
What did I say about charities helping seniors?
How many people have died because of anonymous posts?
I have no problem with Rolfe holding office, and I have no problem with his support for his jcommunity, but really how many of Bermuda’s mothers and fathers really wish their sons were convicted armed robbers? That statement is just ludicrous. The rest of your comment is ludicrous as well. For the past several years Rolfe has done little except live off the largesse of the PLP and verbally assail his critics in public. This is what passes for public service these days?
Laverne, all of the venomous spewings emanate from people who do not look like you and I. Those same people CANNOT, CANNOT, CANNOT change who they are. As long as they remain on the earth with us we shall find no peace. One of their own, Michael Bradley, an author of 19 published books and hundreds of newspaper articles, mostly on the subjects of voyages, traditional vessels, archaeology and anthropology said that: “THE PROBLEM WITH THE WORLD IS WHITE MEN.” Need I say more?
Rolfe Commissiong you should have had a speech like this 4 years ago when you had the real power to do something
about it. – instead you were following Dr.Brown around like a little puppy – now looks like your trying to be another Al Sharpton. — these punks are not going to listen to you anyway.
So inappropriate of Rolfe Commissiong. Here you have a family grieving and he uses this as a platform to spread his message. Wait until you’re speaking in the House for that. Know when to speak or lose your cause..
For you information, Rolfe spent time with the families before giving the press conference and he had their blessings. Did you not hear one of the mothers on ZBM?
Mr Baron has spent the last several days with the families. Not just the time before a press conference.
Was it inappropriate for the Governor, Cannonier and Dunkley to speak?
They ARE the Government Ms. Furbert!
So it’s okay for the government to speak on the matter, but not the MP for the area?
It’s appropriate for anyone in government to speak – unless you were perhaps one of the pioneers who helped pave the way for gun crime in Bermuda!
The answer to that would be this question, Were they self-serving, too?
A good deal of people’s displeasure with the above statement by Mr. Commissiong is that he appears to be using the situation to promote himself and his agenda. He’s not campaigning anymore. He won.
Well Victor, white people (as a collective) have done some extremely despicable things and so why not call it. There is also a collective mindset that quietly approves those behaviours for which responsibility has to be taken. There is only one thing to do and that is be honest about it and own it collectively. Truth can be a hard thing to face so it is normal to slip into a place of denial. Acceptance of truth is a powerful step toward creating a new way of being. It is important to understand what we have been doing that got us here so that we can change course sooner rather than later. But we have to get beyond bashing for the same reason, because we cannot use the same thinking that got us here to solve our problems.
Every race (as a collective) have committed some extremely despicable acts.
Does that justify racist rhetoric and the lot?
Thought stereotyping was racist,wrong and abhorrent?
Bermy, you are right that every race has performed despicable acts and they should be called on it also.
Bermy Gooner—–Black people as a race collectively were stolen from their homeland..need we go further? Whatever happened since we were taken from our homeland, is not our fault in anyway shape or form as a matter of fact all nations came from blacks originally and jews,romans, greeks, caucasians, arabs, portuguese, spanish,french turned on us! WHAT has Black race historically done to any other race, we are the only race whose history is so scattered because we have been taken advantage of! So don’t say as a colective Blacks never did any atrocities historically against any other race group, simply because allraces came from Blacks and they felt a need to steal instead of give credit for the motherland for providing them life!And today blacks are still owed the history back, their land and their lives ! Until Blacks are free to rule the earth again the chaos will continue, because we are more of a loving and caring race of people who know how to live in and with the earth.Mr. Commissiong would not have found himself in the predicament he did years ago if the playing field were even, if we all were truly equally human we all should have what we need to sustain us, not a few controlling everything.
“Until Blacks are free to rule the earth again the chaos will continue, because we are more of a loving and caring race of people who know how to live in and with the earth”
Wow. Equality doesn’t equate to total domination…And to the latter part of your sentence you do come across as believing that the black race is superior to all others. You see when white people said and say that they are rightfully labelled as “white supremacists” and “racists.” Which title would you appreciated to be labelled with after your comment?
And I don’t buy that if Mr. Commissiong wasn’t black he wouldn’t have committeed his crimes. Crimes are committed by all people of all races.
The one thing that all races have in common and are equal in is personal responsibility. There are plenty of black people who are disadvantaged that do not committ crime.
And to committ an atrocity, doesn’t require one race against another. Atrocities can be committed against one’s own kind. Perfect examples are Hitler and the Jews and Hutus and Tutsis in Rwanda.
Another example of such is the past African tibal leaders which played a great part in the slave trade, by selling their fellow men into slavery (see below BBC link):
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8356357.stm
Lovern Vomi#t Firbit do you know that Ralfe Camisiong knows about guns.
Rolfe.
you are every well spoken, what we want is action……..lets see what you can do in your underserved community 21. we need afterschool programs, mentoring programs, drug treatment programs, mortage relief, jobs.
with all that talk yesterday we in 21 want action.
You came to my house talked a good game, but now we want to see all that you can deliver. I told my mother when you came to the house you were like all the rest. She said give you a chance. To see you pop up after a shooting says you may like the lime light as we have not heard or seen you in the hood since the election.
by the way Mrs. Furbert with the greatest respect, you come across angry and you do Rolfe no favors by defending him, you make him look weak. go sit down, you hurting all of us.
Pah-ha,
If you saw anger in anything that I wrote, all I can say is poor you.
By the way, there are already afterschool programs, mentoring programs and drug treatment programs available to the residents of Constituency 21. As far as mortgage relief is concerned, I can tell you that was one issue that I bought up to the PLP, however, they are no longer the government. Hopefully, the OBA will take the matter up with the banks of the Monetary Authority.
I will tell you though that many people appreciate my advocacy. If you’re not one of those people, so be it.
Come on laVerne,
I know that you are a soldier and a good one at that. Yet you must allow your best senses to govern your speech and advocacy. Rolfe needs a lot of help. He is offensive, easily offended, self absorbed and insecure. It comes over and he does not engender the confidence of people. The gun thing was not the worse thing a man can do. He did not kill anyone. he was a confused young man. Yes, Shawn Crockwell was a total lunatic when he did what he did and should be held to a higher standard than Rolfe because of his background and training when he committed his crime. Yet Rolfe has not morphed into a self assured relaxed secure healthy individual. I should not be critcizing him so harshly but he makes statements that leave him wide open to attack. You can help him Laverne. I think his support of Dr. Brown gave him a false sense of security because he was given a sense of security and approval by a strong symbol that he respected and feared. This blind attachment can be seen by family members, gang members, insecure wanderers, abused spouses etc…you know the type. Yet with Rolfe being in the open without Ewarts Cloak he is vulnerable… Help him Laverene
I wish my most heartfelt condolences to all family and friends of the victims.
Just the othe day Marc Bean the leader of the PLP said on the radio that the PLP would not use these shootings as a political football and then here Rolfe C. doing exactly that. Minister Weeks’ message was the correct one at this time.
LOL
Rolfe makes some good points if you can listen to him. The problem is that he is always blaming and not coming up with solutions. He is correct that the 1980s saw a break out in social unrest. At the same time there was the popularization of black hip hop in the media, there was the infusion of African American values into Bermuda there was the issue of access to certain types of drugs on the street that was not there before. Victimhood can be addictive. If it was so bad why did some black kids get through and others didnt. IT comes down to choices and values. If you go to sessions, smoke weed, screw everybody, get tapped on elephants and are hypnotized by BET what are you expecting. when the white child is studying, reading, in a healthy home and monitored closely. Stop blaming the income inequality solely on racism. That is the environment but you have choices. He needs to teach people how to make better choices. Oh no, he wont do that because it means that he cant blame anyone and he cant get a checque! His record is old He has not answers. That PLP bunch was embarassing and a joke. Neletha Butterfield, Rolfe, Scott Simmons, Micheal Scott, Dennis Lister, Renee Webbe, Walter Roban. Ministers of the government of a country that has this much sophistication and wealth. THese people could not even become prefects at St. GEorges Sec or Robert Crawford or Prospect High School for Girls so you know that was bad! Get your act together as a people by following a system of values and principles. Self sacrifice and discipline that is your key to bridging the income gap.
What are the causes of this growing youth dysfunction?… there are no quick solutions, only long term solutions. Everyone must get involved.
We need to dramatically reduce the number of teen pregnancies through education. This is actually happening now… and eventually it will reduce the number of single parent families.
Parenting classes and sex education classes starting in Middle School may help young mothers, all mothers, over the long run.
Quick intervention and social assistance for parents with out-of-control children should be considered. These kids can be identified quite young at school. If we catch them young, and have effective programs in place to help them heal, and help their families to heal, we may be able to make some headway….
This is important. Legally following up, through the Courts & Police, on Child Support Payments from dead-beat dads, who often brag about how many children they have fathered. Make them pay. Or lock them up. Single mothers need all the help they can get with their children… make the fathers accountable!
Drug addiction and alcoholism are also serious problems in some neighbourhoods. We must create a number of different options for those who want to recover, other than just the 12 Step Program (which is excellent BTW). This also has been happening over the past few years.
These are just a few ideas of what we, as a community, as a Government, as individuals, could do to help solve these problems… if we wanted to.
@lol Could Rolf be a gun expert?
He must have known how to load and discharge his weapon.During the course of the bank robbery he was convicted of,a shot was fired.Only by the grace of god,nobody was injured or killed.
He is now a Member of Parliament.Maybe his expertise can be utilized to help prevent future murders?Lets hope so.
Bernews time to add a edit button to ya page so ppl can correct thur comments …
LaVerne Furbert, You don’t have to explain anymore to those foolish people that’s trying to hold on to Rolfe’s pass.Let his pass go! cause if you people want a change in bermy it has to start from the top and work it’s way down. The way how bermy’s gone, it’s a lot of angry and hatreat black and white people walking around this f^&* up island. People losing houses left right and center, can’t effort to feed our family.Yes don’t think we black guys that hang out on the streets, don’t get to read bernews or can’t read or understand whats going on in bermy. S^&&*s out of control and we need help from both sides. AnD No WE CAN’T RUN TO THE POLICE FOR HELP CAUSE SOME OF THEM ARE. Man ^&*s gone to deep here, all we have to do is don’t get caught slipping, cause on both side’s our lives can go in a wink of and eye. RIP 4 ALL OF US
My heart goes out to the families and friends of the deceased young men.Mister weeks your words rang true ,you sir are a Bermudian statesman,thank you .mr commisiong you sir have the experience and ability to help Bermuda with this problem, i say this because of your past history.Despite your history you were able to change your life for the better,you sir have the answers so please sir teach the youth.