Fri, 2022-04-08

Detective Chief Inspector Peter Stableford - Good afternoon everyone.

I would like to provide an update on the investigations into two murders that have impacted our community this week. [Watch video of the Friday, 8th April 2022 press conference].

Firstly, Laje Franklin who we believe was shot and killed on Tuesday 5th April and found the following morning near Clearwater beach in St David’s. We continue to appeal for anyone who was in the area of St. George’s and St. David’s between 10.30 pm and 11.30 pm on Tuesday 5th April to report anything suspicious they saw. I would ask that anyone in St. George’s and St. David’s with home CCTV, dash cams or video door bells to please save the footage as it may be of assistance to the investigation as it progresses.

I would like to thank those people that have responded and so far it has been helpful to receive the support of the community to progress. We have a number of lines of enquiry we are continuing to progress.

Secondly, the shooting last night (Thursday 7th April) about 8.30 pm was in the car park of the Warwick Workman’s Club on Cobbs Hill Road, Warwick where the community was enjoying a kite making and Easter event for families.

The young man that was shot was Che Jennings 24 years old from Warwick who was shot multiple times. A photograph of Che has been provided by the family (shown right) and will be sent out immediately following this press conference.

We are asking for the public’s help in tracing the movements of the two suspects who were seen riding in the area before Che was shot on a white Honda motorcycle. The rider was wearing a red jacket and the passenger a yellow jacket both with black helmets. I repeat, a white Honda with the rider wearing a red jacket and the passenger a yellow jacket both with black helmets.

People with home CCTV, dash cams or video door bells can help by looking at their footage for these suspects from 7.00 pm to 10.00 pm last night (Thursday 7th April).

There are some key points I would like to make:

At this time, we do not believe the two incidents are linked.

The question of these being gang related; it is a line of enquiry that is being explored as it relates to both murders but it is still too early to be definitive and we have to remain open minded.

I will not confirm how many times either young man was shot as this remains as part of the investigation strategy other than to say both were shot multiple times.

We are awaiting forensic results on both matters that takes time to arrange.

A person was arrested shortly after the shooting of Che Jennings but has now been released on police bail while we make further enquiries.

We have assigned separate teams for these investigations.

A family liaison officer has been assigned to support the families through the police.

Any relevant footage can be uploaded directly to the police at https://portal.police.bm/crime.

Anyone with any information is asked to call 211 or the independent and confidential Crime Stoppers hotline 800-8477.

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