Video: Press Conference On Shootings

[Updated] Minister of National Security Senator Ryan Robinson Perinchief and Commissioner of Police Darrin Simons are holding a joint press conference this afternoon [Oct 15] in response to recent shooting incidents. We will have additional coverage later on and in the meantime the live video is below.

There have been multiple firearm incidents since Sunday, with two taking place last night [Oct 14]. A male “sustained multiple gunshot wounds” following a shooting at a residence in the Curving Avenue, Pembroke area, and another man was left in critical condition after being injured in a unusual situation which the police described by saying that a “licensed firearms holder, discharged a firearm while exterminating chickens in the area” and a ”projectile reportedly struck the motorcycle rider in the head.”

These incidents followed a shooting in Hamilton parish on Sunday, when another individual was taken to hospital after police said “unknown subjects shot into a window at the residence, injuring one occupant.”

Update 4.30pm: Minister Robinson Perinchief’s remarks:

Good afternoon. Commissioner Simons, members of the media, and everyone watching and listening.

This week, two young people in our community have been shot in acts of gun violence. On Sunday morning, a 22-year-old young man was shot at a residence in Hamilton Parish. Last night, a 17-year-old was shot on Curving Avenue.

Earlier today, I sat with the mother and father of the young man shot last night alongside members of the team. We spoke about their son and their family. We reflected on the understanding that there is no easy fix but that the answer is in community.

To both families: you are in my thoughts and prayers and I am truly sorry that you are going through this terrible experience.

These shootings are serious, and I understand the fear and hurt they have caused in our community. Too many of our young people are being lost or harmed through gun violence, and we can never accept this as normal.

This morning, I met with Commissioner Simons and was briefed on both shootings. The Bermuda Police Service has the Ministry’s full support, and residents can expect an increased police presence in the affected areas. I have also asked the Commissioner to identify any immediate resources the Service needs from our Ministry in order to carry out their work investigating these incidents. I’ll now ask the Commissioner to speak to the police response.

Thank you, Commissioner. A police response is necessary, but it is not enough on its own. This morning I also met with our Violence Reduction Team to discuss how we support families and young people in the affected communities. The team was out in the Curving Avenue area this morning, hearing from residents and reinforcing that, as a community, we are in this together. Some of the team, including Pastor Bean, were out late last night and into the early hours, and provided support to the family at the hospital.

Work is also underway to refine the Government’s approach to violence reduction, so that we reach our young people earlier and more consistently. That work will be built with the community, and I want to recognise the parents, mentors, coaches, pastors and men who are already reaching these young people. I will share details of our restructuring and extended programmes in the coming weeks.

I will continue to meet frequently with the Commissioner and the Violence Reduction Team so that we can work collectively to address these issues strategically and effectively.

But the Violence Reduction Team, the Ministry and the Police can only do so much. The police have a responsibility to investigate these crimes and bring offenders to justice, but we cannot arrest our way out of this violence.

The truth is that our community has more power to stop this than anyone standing up here. Our young people listen to their families, their coaches, their barbers, their pastors and their friends long before they listen to us.

So, I am asking you to use that power. If there is a young person in your life you are worried about, please don’t wait. Check on them. Talk to them. Help us break the cycle of hurt, trauma and retaliation. Please do not let this become just another day in Bermuda. We cannot become numb to this.

And if you know something about these shootings, come forward. The police can only act on what they know. Call them on 211, or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 800-8477, or speak with any police officer you know and trust.

This is not someone else’s problem. These are our young people, and we will not give up on them.

Thank you and we will now take any questions related to this matter.

Update 4.50pm: Commissioner of Police Darrin Simons’ remarks:

Minister, thank you for standing by us today.

Yesterday evening [Wednesday, 14th October 2026], three people were badly hurt in three separate incidents, in under six hours.

Let me tell you what happened, what the police are doing, and what you can expect from us.

Bakery Lane, Pembroke Area

In the early evening, a motorcyclist was seriously injured near Bakery Lane in Pembroke. An approved contractor was culling feral chickens nearby with an air rifle. A pellet struck the rider. The rider is in hospital in critical condition.

Early indications suggest this is a tragic accident. And there will be a full investigation to establish the facts, so a fully informed determination is made.

Westdale Lane, Southampton

Just before nine, there was an explosion at a home on Westdale Lane in Southampton. The man who lives there was badly burned. He is also critical. Early reports point to a gas leak. Investigators, including Health & Safety are working out the cause, and engineers are checking the building.

Curving Avenue, Pembroke

At a quarter to eleven, a 17-year-old was shot several times inside a home on Curving Avenue in Pembroke. After the incident, officers detained a young male in connection with the shooting. That investigation is active, so there is not much more I can add.
We have nothing that links these three incidents to one another. Our thoughts are with all three families.

Now, what we are doing.

The Service has declared a critical incident. That means these matters come first, in every unit. Detectives from the Serious Crime Unit and the Criminal Investigation Department lead the investigations. Health and Safety inspectors will work alongside us on the culling and the explosion incidents.

On the shooting, officers are searching various scenes for evidence.

You will see more officers in uniform, on the road and in your neighbourhoods. You will also see targeted enforcement, with officers going directly to the offenders we believe are driving gun violence. And rest assured there is also a wide range of policing activity that will not be seen by the public that targets those criminals who cause the highest harm in our community.

There will rightly be questions about the culling incident and we alongside the Health and Safety Inspectors will examine the process around that situation.

Now, reassurance.

We are a small community, and these incidents will cause unease. I appreciate that.

Here is what I can tell you. Detectives are working all three matters. Every available officer has been tasked in our response plans to assist.

If you saw a suspicious white motorcycle on Curving Avenue last night, or you have camera footage along Curving Avenue and the roads heading east, please call the police at 211, Crime Stoppers on 800-8477. And if you know a cop, tell a cop.

Three members of our community were hurt yesterday. We are working for each of them, and for every family who wants to feel safe in their own home.

That is what Making Bermuda Safer means today.

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