Governor Urges Witnesses To Contact Police
[Updated] Governor George Fergusson has extended his condolences to Fiqre Crockwell’s family, and urged anyone who knows anything about the murder to contact the police or Crimestoppers.
Mr Crockwell, a well known cricketer who represented Bermuda internationally and played in Cup Match, was shot dead early this morning on Woodlands Road while a 46-year-old man was stabbed and taken to King Edward VII Hospital for treatment.
The Governor said, “This morning’s tragic shooting death and stabbing, following another horrific shooting death last month, is desperately sad.
“I condemn in the strongest terms those who go about with illegal guns. There is not the slightest reason or excuse and the lack of respect for life which it implies is appalling. I send my condolences to Mr Crockwell’s bereaved family.
“I also pay tribute to the work of the police and others in preventing other tragedies of the same kind in the recent past.
“Only a few people appear to be involved in this. But everyone can play some part in stopping it. Anyone who knows anything about today’s attacks should contact the police or Crimestoppers.
“But I hope everyone can pause to consider how to help, either by advising someone at risk of committing such offences to change course; or to consider less direct but important things like volunteering with youth groups and mentoring programmes, or informally helping a family or young person. All this can help.
“We can’t just accept these events, or decide it is for someone else to fix,” added the Governor.
Update 5.40pm: Minister of National Security Jeffrey Baron said, “It is heart-wrenching to confront another tragic loss of life. Our thoughts and prayers will hopefully bring some measure of comfort to Mr. Crockwell’s family and friends.
“It will be important for any witnesses to make every effort to assist the police while such terrible events are fresh in their minds. I will be briefed by the Police tomorrow morning and I am confident in the full investigation that is already underway.”
Update June 21, 1.30pm: Minister of Social Development and Sports Sylvan Richards said, “I would like to offer my sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Fiqre Crockwell.
“Mr. Crockwell was an established cricket player on the island and a true sportsman. I would also like to extend my deepest sympathies to the St. David’s County Cricket Club for the loss of their teammate and friend.”
Update 4.10pm: Acting Deputy Leader & Shadow Minister of Home Affairs Walter Roban and Walton Brown, Member of Parliament for Constituency 17, Pembroke Central said, “The Bermuda Progressive Labour Party extends our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and sporting teammates of Fiqre Crockwell, during this incredibly difficult time.
“Mr. Crockwell was a former Bermuda National Team cricketer, who also played local cricket for St David’s and represented St George’s Cup Match. He was also a football player who represented Somerset Cricket Club. It is an incredible loss to the community to know that a promising athlete will no longer be with us.
“These horrific acts of violence, and in particular, gun violence continue to bring hurt, loss and tragedy to our community. As a society, we must be prepared to look at the roots causes that draw our citizens to commit these acts. These acts have long transitioned from being isolated incidents. One demographic of our society is being virtually eradicated, that being our young black men, and in many cases, this is happening by other young black men. We must take action.
“We must show our support for the efforts of the Police and other agencies when these incidences occur so that justice can be served and closure can be received by the families and those who have suffered. We call on anyone who has information to assist the authorities with apprehending those who committed this unlawful acts to cooperate. ”
The police have asked witnesses or persons with information to contact Acting Detective Inspector Kenten Trott at the Serious Crime Unit on 717-2345 or the confidential and anonymous Crime Stoppers hotline 800-8477.
