Shooting victim flown abroad for treatment
The 20-year-old who was shot yesterday while being pursued by two men during a morning motorcycle chase on North Shore Road, has been flown overseas for emergency medical treatment, the Bermuda Police Service have confirmed.
The victim had been listed in a serious condition in the Intensive Care Unit of King Edward VII Memorial Hospital last night after being "shot about the body" multiple times.
Police are still hunting two suspects, who fled the scene at high speed on a motorcycle, and will hold a formal press conference on Monday at 11am to provide updates.
Pembroke residents told The Royal Gazette how they heard repeated gunfire as the incident took place at the junction of Overview Hill, Pembroke, shortly after 11.30am.
One neighbour, who was at home, described a “pow-pow-pow” sound.
“I've never heard gunshots before, other than on the TV, so I wasn't sure what it was,” he said.
Another said: “I heard the shots, then I called the police about two minutes later. I couldn't believe it happened this early in the day. I told them I didn't know if it was really gunshots or not, and she said it was.”
A police spokesman said: “At approximately 11.33am, police and first responders attended a report of a firearm incident which took place at the junction of North Shore Road and Overview Hill.
“It appears that a 20-year-old Pembroke male was shot about the body. He was taken to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, where his condition at this point is unknown.
“We know that it was two males on a motorcycle. They opened fire on this male as he turned on to Overview Hill, before leaving North Shore travelling east.
“We are asking for the public's assistance, specifically anyone in the area between 11am and 11.30am who saw two males on a motorcycle acting suspiciously.
“A full investigation into this matter has commenced and the lead investigator is Acting Inspector Jason Smith.”
The two suspects are said to have left the scene travelling east along North Shore Road, on a dark-coloured motorcycle.
Both were wearing dark clothes.
Walton Brown, the MP for Pembroke Central, called it “obviously very disconcerting to see another shooting in our Island”.
The police operation extends into his constituency, where residents are said to be “deeply concerned”.
“I was in the area last night and will be there tomorrow talking to residents,” Mr Brown said.
“The real issue is that we need a much more comprehensive approach to dealing with these incidents.
“I would like to see a much more intelligence-led police approach. These sorts of crimes are always the product of a larger set of issues.”
The Island's problems with violent crime parallel “social malaises and economic challenges”, Mr Brown said.
It was the second gun-related incident within a 24-hour period, after men brandishing what appeared to be a firearm robbed the RUBiS Van Buren gas station in Flatts on Thursday night.
Witnesses should call police on 295-0011 or the confidential Crime Stoppers hotline 800-8477.
Yesterday's shooting was followed shortly after 7pm with a man chased up Court Street and fired upon.
No injuries were reported and the suspects made their escape on foot. According to shopkeepers in the area, a man was pursued by two men past people socialising, and chased towards Till's Hill.
Shots were fired near the junction with Angle Street. The street was temporarily closed for two blocks north of Elliott Street until about 8.30pm while police examined the scene.
Police appealed for witnesses to contact authorities on 295-0011, or to call the Crime Stoppers hotline, 800-8477.
