Premier, Minister & OBA Leader On Shooting
Premier David Burt, Minister Michael Weeks, and Opposition Leader Jarion Richardson all released statements following the brazen daylight shooting that resulted in the death of two men.
Premier David Burt statement
Premier Burt said, “The tragic events of yesterday, which claimed the lives of two young men, have shaken our island once again. My deepest condolences go to the families of those who were killed and who are facing unimaginable loss. As a father, I can only begin to comprehend the grief that the parents of the two victims are going through. I am also praying for the family of the third victim, who is recovering in the hospital and all of those who may have witnessed yesterday’s shooting or been in the vicinity, as such a callous and terrifying event took place in broad daylight on a busy street as workers and families walked around the City of Hamilton.
“If you have any information, come forward and speak to the police or call Crime Stoppers anonymously. Silence only allows this cycle of violence to continue, and it must end.
“Bermuda is a close-knit community. When even one family mourns, we all mourn. When violence takes lives, it hurts our entire island. We are not defined by these tragedies but how respond to them as a community, so it’s vital that we stand together and be there for one another.
“Your Government will continue to support the Bermuda Police Service, and first responders. We will also continue to invest in resources to support individuals and families affected by violence, and programmes that address the root causes of that violence. But lasting change will only come when we, as a community, decide together that enough is enough.”
Minister of National Security Michael Weeks statement
Minister Weeks said, “Yesterday’s broad daylight shooting on Court Street, which has left two men dead and another in hospital, was a shocking and brazen act of violence. It must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. My heartfelt condolences go out to the families who have lost loved ones, and my thoughts are with the injured individual as he recovers. I commend those members of the public who stepped in to help at the scene.
“The Bermuda Police Service has my full support as they investigate this incident. I assure the public that the Government will provide every resource necessary to assist the Police investigation.
“In the midst our shock and outrage, we, as a community, are not powerless; we can act. The more information that members of the public share with the Police, the greater the likelihood of bringing to justice those responsible for these crimes.
“We can meet this tragedy with a strong community response that makes it clear that we condemn these crimes and express our determination to play a part in making that justice a reality.
“Call the police or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 800-8477 because silence is not the answer.”
Opposition Leader Jarion Richardson statement
Mr. Richardson said, “Bermuda is in mourning once again. In recent days, lives have been lost to violence — in our streets, in broad daylight, in front of the very communities we are supposed to protect. These tragedies do not only claim the lives of their victims. They leave children without parents, parents without children, families without answers, and communities without peace.
“The grief does not end when the headlines fade. It lingers — in the empty chairs at the dinner table, in the classrooms where friends notice a desk is vacant, in the hearts of neighbours who now walk their streets in fear. Many of our charities, including our schools, have seen this pain up close. Their work with families affected by traumatic homicide shows the depth of the wound left by violence, and the urgent need for structured grief recovery to help victims’ loved ones cope and heal.
“But this is not just about individual grief. These acts of violence are a symptom of a wider decline in our civil society — a fraying of the bonds of respect and trust that hold us together. We see it in the hostility that too often replaces healthy debate, in the disrespect shown in public spaces, and in the deepening divisions across our community. That same erosion of trust is one reason too many people remain silent when the police ask for help in solving crimes. Without witnesses, without community cooperation, justice is too often denied, and the cycle of violence continues.
“And yet, the police themselves are struggling. The Bermuda Police Service is still below its target staffing level. Internally, officers report low morale, lack of trust, and a culture that must change. They are working under strain, with fewer resources than they need, and often without the cooperation of the public they serve. No strategy can succeed under those conditions.
“The Government’s own National Violence Reduction Strategy admits that violence ‘threatens the very fabric of our island home’ and that no one is immune. We know the causes. We have strategies on paper. We have community organizations already on the ground addressing the trauma. What we lack is national leadership to bring these efforts together, set measurable goals, and deliver results that people can see and feel.
“That is why I am calling for:
- Urgent integration of community-based trauma recovery into the violence reduction strategy — ensuring grief support is a core part of how we break the cycle
- Island-wide trust rebuilding between police and communities — not as a slogan, but through consistent presence, genuine listening, and visible service in every parish.
- Transparent, measurable progress reporting — with clear timelines, public benchmarks, and independent oversight for both the NVRS and police cultural reform.
- Support for police capacity and culture change — so that officers are equipped, resourced, and trusted to do the job effectively and fairly.
“We cannot meet this moment with more reassurances and the same old promises. We must meet it with action, urgency, and accountability. Bermuda is hurting — but Bermuda can heal. That healing will take leadership that is willing to listen, to unite, and to deliver.
“Our people deserve to feel safe in their homes, in their neighborhoods, and in their hearts. The time to act is now.”
