Thu, 2009-06-04

Detective Chief Inspector Antoine Daniels - The Bermuda Police Service would like to provide an update on the investigation into the shooting incidents which occurred on St. Monica’s Road and Court Street on Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd May 2009 respectively. As previously reported, 27 year old Pembroke resident Kenwandee Robinson lost his life as a result of sustaining gunshot wounds to his body, while on St. Monica’s Road. A second man was also hit, but his injuries were not life threatening and he has been treated at the hospital and released.

The second shooting on Court Street resulted in three men being shot and injured, who have all since been treated and released from hospital. Investigations into these matters are progressing with 9 arrests having being made thus far and investigators anticipate further arrests in the near future.

The Bermuda Police Service would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank all those persons who have come forward and assisted with the investigation into these two daylight shootings. The court proceedings that occurred on Tuesday 28th May 2009, represent a first-step in the pursuit of bringing to justice those persons suspected of committing these violent and cowardly acts. Investigators continue to receive calls from members of the public offering information regarding the shootings. In the past 2 weeks alone several witness statements containing critical information have been recorded.

However, there are also a number of residents that have refused or are reluctant to assist Police with investigations into these criminal acts, although they were clearly present and are aware of the suspect’s identity. For example, the shootings which occurred on Court Street were observed by a number of people in the area, who clearly saw the entire incident and have intimated this much to Police. But when asked to provide a witness statement they declined stating that they are not getting involved.

Only on Tuesday, head of Bermuda’s Chamber of Commerce Stephen Todd stated that “crime and safety are one of the most pressing concerns facing Bermuda and its business community.” He went on to say that “residents need to be more responsible and not turn a blind eye because to do this makes us enablers and adds fuel to the fire.” Indeed, the Bermuda Police Service’s capacity to deal with crime depends to a large extent upon its relationship with the community. As I have stated many times before Police cannot work in isolation and as a result I am imploring those people who witnessed any of the two shooting incidents to contact investigators, because the reality of the situation is that as a community we are all in far more danger if witnesses continue to remain silent.

Anyone who has any information, whether they believe it to be significant or not, is asked to telephone 299-8115 or the confidential Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-623-8477.

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