Video: Premier, Ministers Press Conference
[Updated] Premier David Burt, Minister of National Security Michael Weeks and Minister of Health Kim Wilson are holding a press conference today [July 11] to address the recent tragedies.
Update 1.33pm: Premier Burt’s full remarks follow below:
Today, I stand before you alongside my colleagues with a heavy heart. Our island has been shaken by recent tragic events that have left so many of us with a feeling of sorrow and disbelief. The senseless killing of Ms Diante Trimm, a mother of five, the heart-wrenching news of the passing of four persons, including two children, over the weekend, and the shooting deaths of two young men in the early hours of yesterday morning have cast a shadow of grief over our island that is weighing down heavily on our communities.
These recent tragedies have struck the very core of so many families and friends, and their pain has reverberated throughout our entire island. We are all hurting…we are all hurting.
As members of the community, we are hurting with you. Bermuda is a small island where we are all intrinsically linked, and when one family or community is hurting, we all feel it. As a father, I can only begin to imagine the pain that the mothers and fathers feel as they mourn the losses of their sons, young men with so much potential, and daughters who were taken far too soon.
And I am deeply saddened at the thought of those children who have been left to navigate life without the love and guidance of their mother and the uncles, aunts and grandparents who experience the pain of losing children and grandchildren who they have loved are nurtured. Bermuda, in these dark times, we must continue to work to ensure a more hopeful future.
We must collectively summon the strength inside of us and not allow our island to be defined by these tragedies but by how we respond to them and to one another. We must unite to support those directly impacted by these devastating events. The losses that some families in our community have had to endure are unimaginable, and it is in these moments that we must provide them with the support systems that will help them in their time of grief and demonstrate to them that they are not alone.
I want to reassure every Bermudian that their elected Government is committed to working with Government House – who has responsibility for the police – to ensure the safety and well-being of our residents. We understand the anxiety and fear that these events have caused, and outside of policing, this Government remains committed to investing in resources and programmes to address the root causes of the issues that our communities face.
Today, Ministers will discuss the work being done in the Ministries of Health and National Security and the resources available to support our communities. As the Minister of Finance, I am committed to ensuring that additional funds are allocated to support important initiatives that will further assist those in need in breaking the cycle of violence that our community has endured.
The recent tragedies have shown that even more needs to be invested in tackling the root causes of violence, and this Government will not ignore this reality and will continue to do its part. But the government cannot do this alone; we need strength and unity from all of Bermuda, working together as one. This is not the time to point fingers or play politics.
These are not the problems of one political party or another but matters that we must deal with together as Bermudians. I thank the local faith leaders, community leaders, charity leaders, sports club leaders and others who have already been vocal in their prayers for our island, visible in support for the families, and in their calls for us to show compassion and stand in solidarity while using the hurt we collectively feel as a reminder that we must redouble our efforts for positive change.
It was touching to see a number of individuals gathered in harmony and prayer on the Cabinet lawn earlier this week, and I encourage us all not to lose that energy or mentality that we must work together to overcome this. All families and residents are impacted by violence in our community. And though the results of the violence mainly impact Bermuda’s black community, there is an imperative for all sectors of the community to ensure that they are part of the solution.
The culture of silence that prevails in some parts of Bermuda and the view that it is another community’s problem are not what this island needs. It is only through collective unity and community participation that we can bring about the change I believe we all want to see: to stop families from having to endure this pain, to find the strength to heal, to implement policies that honour those we have lost, and to build a safer Bermuda and a brighter future.
As I close, I would again like to express my heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost loved ones and again plead with persons in our community who have any information about the shooting of Ms Diante Trimm, the passing of the four Bermudians in the Friswells Hill area over the weekend, or yesterday’s shooting to contact the Bermuda Police Service or the confidential crime stoppers hotline. The Bermuda Police Service have a difficult job to do, but it is made easier when they have support and cooperation from the public.
Thank you, and now I invite the Minister of Health to speak about the support services available to assist those in the aftermath of these tragedies and also the proactive work on mental health that is essential to ensure those who may be facing challenges in our community know there is support available. I am grateful for the work that your Ministry and teams are doing to support the community and would encourage all to take advantage. These circumstances are difficult, but these resources can help residents.
I will now invite the Minister of National Security to address you and share what his Ministry and teams are doing to support the social side of the police’s enforcement efforts. I extend my thanks to you and your team for your tireless efforts in assisting the community and working with young people with the aim of breaking the multi-generational cycle of violence.
Update 6.21pm: Minister Weeks’ full remarks follow below:
Good afternoon everyone.
I stand before you today with a heavy heart, deeply disturbed and disgusted by the recent surge in violence that has shaken our island.
To hear the news yesterday that two young men were fatally shot near Fort Scaur in Somerset shood me to my core. These gruesome murders brought the number of homicides in Bermuda in the past six weeks to 7. Seven murders in 6 weeks. These include the shocking discovery of four lifeless people inside their home in Pembroke; in a home located within my own constituency. There is no doubt that these events have left our community in a state of pain, sorrow and anxiety.
First and foremost, I want to express my deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of all those who have lost their lives. These senseless acts of violence have torn at the very fabric of our society, and we share in the grief and pain felt by those who knew and loved these individuals. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this incredibly difficult time.
As the Bermuda Police Service investigates these incidents, I want to assure the public that the Ministry of National Security fully supports their efforts and that the police have our full support, including whatever resources they may require to bring those responsible to justice.
However, we cannot do this alone. We need the community’s help. I know you have heard me say this before, but the message must be repeated at this crucial time: If you have any information, no matter how significant you think it may be, please come forward. Your courage can make a difference. The police service cannot solve these crimes without your support. No police service can.
I understand the reluctance and fear that may exist within our community, but it is vital for the safety and well-being of all that we stand together against this violence. The resilience of the Bermudian people is well-known, and now, more than ever, we must rely on that community strength to put an end to this scourge.
We must break the silence and overcome the fear that prevents us from providing information that can assist in bringing the perpetrators of these heinous acts to justice. If you are hesitant to speak directly to the police, you can call the confidential Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-8477. This hotline is staffed by people located overseas, ensuring your anonymity and security.
I also want to take this opportunity to recognise the efforts of our essential service workers. They have been under pressure and on the front lines of these incidents. We know that theirs is a traumatic job when confronted with these incidents and I thank them profusely for the manner in which they perform their duties. Their dedication and hard work do not go unnoticed and are deeply appreciated by all of Bermuda.
Thank you.
Update 6.23pm: Minister Wilson’s full remarks follow below:
Hello Bermuda.
I want to start by saying that my heart aches as we reflect on the recent deaths of this week.
I am deeply saddened and shocked by this recent news.
As a mother, my heart is breaking along with yours. The loss of life we’ve
experienced this week is immeasurable. The loss of children and young people is a pain that defies words. There are no words to fully express the depth of our sorrow. Our hearts are heavy for the families and friends who are enduring unimaginable pain.I know the fierce love we have for our children, the dreams we hold for their futures. At this time of immense loss, it is okay to feel overwhelmed, angry, confused, or numb. Grief takes many forms, and there is no right or wrong way to feel.
As the Premier and the Minister of National Security have indicated, our country has been deeply hit by these tragic losses.
The pain we feel as a community is immense, and the mental and the emotional well-being of our people has been profoundly shaken.
In these difficult and testing times, we must pause, reflect, and support one another.
If you or someone you know is struggling, please do not hesitate to seek help.
We must be vigilant and compassionate, looking out for our neighbors, friends, and loved ones.
Check-in on each other, offer a listening ear, and pay attention to signs that someone may be struggling.
Even a small gesture of kindness can make a significant difference in someone’s life.
Though these tragedies may not affect each of us directly, we are a close-knit community, and the ripples of these losses touch us all.Whether within your family, among friends, at church, or in your workplace, someone you know is grieving.
Let us come together to support one another and prioritize our mental and emotional health.
The Ministry of Health wants to reassure everyone that support is available for those who need it.
If you are finding it hard to cope with these events or any mental health issues, please reach out to the following agencies:
- Mid Atlantic Wellness Institute Mainline: 239-1111, which connects to a 24-hour Mental Health crisis line, or call 236-3770.
- Red Cross Psychosocial First Aider: Call 236-8253 between 9am and 4pm Monday to Friday
As we indicated previously, the Family Centre offers resources and support for parents and children experiencing grief.
They provide a Grief Support Tip Sheet for Parents, covering topics such as creating a supportive environment, memorial activities for children, talking about a tragic death, managing fears and anxieties, recognizing and addressing grief in children, and seeking professional help.
- To access therapeutic grief support for children between the ages of 4-18 years old, please call the Family Centre at 232-1116 and ask to speak with a screener.
I just want to take a moment to specifically address youth mental health.
Record levels of young people are struggling.
Academic pressure, social media, bullying, poverty, lack of availability of professional mental health support – all have been named by various sources as contributing to this epidemic of poor mental health in our young people.
The Department of Health has made significant strides in its ongoing commitment to bolster adolescent mental health support.
Recognizing the crucial role that schools play in young people’s lives, the Department has initiated several key programs to build capacity among professionals who interact with children and adolescents daily.
We have been investing in training for professionals who work with our young people, from educators to healthcare providers, to better understand and support the emotional well-being of children and teenagers.
This includes learning how to recognize when young people may be struggling and how to connect them with the appropriate resources and support.
By equipping health professionals and educators with the tools and knowledge they need, we are helping to foster a supportive and understanding atmosphere for our young people.
Finally, if you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please call 9-11 at any time.
Do not hesitate to contact these organizations for advice and support.
We are our brother’s keeper. Let’s stand together in this time of sorrow, offering love, comfort, and support to those in need.
Our community is strong, and by caring for one another, we will find the strength to heal and move forward.
To the families, friends, and loved ones of those who have lost their lives, we extend our deepest sympathies and condolences.
Our community mourns with you, and we stand with you in this time of grief.
Thank you.
