Fri, 2009-07-24

Chief Inspector Antoine Daniels, Officer in Charge of the Serious Crime Unit - The Bermuda Police Service wishes to provide a brief update regarding the progress of the investigation into the shooting which occurred recently. About 3pm on Wednesday 22nd July 2009, Police officers attended the area of Khyber Heights/Pass, Warwick after receiving information that a man had been shot and injured.

The area was secured and searched by Police for potential evidence of a shooting occurring. A number of witnesses and area residents were interviewed and confirm hearing what they believe to be gunshots. A 25 year old man was conveyed to hospital and treated for a gunshot wound, but his injuries are not deemed life threatening. Presently investigators are pursuing various lines of inquiry.

A number of witness statements have been recorded, but investigators are still seeking further assistance from the community. The Bermuda Police Service is extremely pleased and wishes to thank those persons who have thus far provided assistance. However investigators wish to make the following appeal:

Any person(s) who were in the area of Khyber Pass/Heights and Spice Hill Road, Warwick between 2 - 3pm on Wednesday 22nd July 2009 and saw two men on a dark colored motor cycle, wearing dark clothing.

Any person(s) with any information whether they believe it to be important or not are asked to contact investigators at the Serious Crime Unit on telephone number 299-8115 or the Confidential Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800 623-8477.

Already during 2009, the Bermuda Police Service has received 37 firearms related reports and of these 37 reports 13 have been confirmed, where a firearm was actually involved. Of course the most notable being the murder of Kenwande Robinson and the shootings of three males on Court Street, all occurring in May.

Detectives remain actively involved in the investigations of these matters and earlier this week received some positive news as a result of various forensic analyses.

So far this year, a total of 4 firearms have been recovered by the Bermuda Police Service.

I have been asked on a number of occasions recently about the Bermuda Police Service’s response to this disturbing surge in gun violence. A number of initiatives have been put in place namely: 

• A 24 hours per day – 7 days a week firearms response
• Creation of a Gang and Firearms Team
• Consolidation and increase in personnel in various Bermuda Police Service units such as the Police Support Unit (PSU), Community Action Teams (CATs), Gang & Firearms and Intelligence
• Specific targeting and high visibility policing in areas where firearm incidents are most likely to occur, using a more robust style Intelligence Led Policing model, that’s geared to both prevent incidents from occurring and more effectively target and apprehend offenders
• Organization of training programs facilitated by overseas instructors, which not only increased knowledge, but also with the intention of standardizing investigations across the Bermuda Police Service
• Development of closer and more formalized working relationships with various partnering agencies, both locally and overseas

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