Senator Jeff Baron has vowed to continue investing in community outreach programmes and Bermudian talent to tackle the scourge of gang and gun violence.

The Minister for National Security revealed that the counter-gang strategy Operation Ceasefire would be rolled out across the island in the coming weeks and be fully operational by the summer.

His comments came after Jahni Outerbridge, 31, was shot dead in the Mid-Atlantic Boat and Sports Club car park on Sunday night, prompting detectives to launch the first murder investigation of 2017.

Mr Baron told The Royal Gazette he was shocked to be told of Mr Outerbridge’s death and condemned those who had taken footage of the murder scene and distributed it on social media.

“Jahni Outerbridge’s family deserve better, and Bermuda deserves better,” he said.

Addressing those caught up in the island’s warring gang structure and those responsible for the latest murder, he added: “The violence has to stop, it is not necessary.

“There are people in the community that want to help you and can help you. This community is continually traumatised by the actions of you and your friends.

“Our families and the 50-plus children who are without fathers now because of gun violence want you to stop.”

Mr Baron maintained that the solution to Bermuda’s gang crime lay within the community itself and said the implementation of Operation Ceasefire would signal a significant change in impetus in the battle to address the problem.

The programme, which is modelled on Boston’s successful anti-gang strategy, focuses on engaging with those involved in gangs and helping members find a way out.

“The violence and community disorder is being caused by a remarkably small but active number caught in the dynamics of a gang and drug hierarchy,” Mr Baron said.

“We have to acknowledge that and we can reduce this by doing three things — engaging with these gang members, providing a credible law enforcement message about the consequences and giving the offer of help to those that want to get out.

“That is the backbone to what we will be doing with Ceasefire and it will involve the training of Bermudians and local agencies in how to deal with this.”

Mr Baron revealed that training phase of Ceasefire would begin within the next few weeks adding: “We will have dozens of Bermudians visiting overseas training schools for this specific project.

“It will engage industry leaders in gangs, guns and criminal networks and make use of the agencies that are already doing a great job in the community, defusing tensions and tackling the problem.

“I agree that this should have happened sooner, but this will have a significant impact. The community will not just feel safer, they will be safer.

“Going forward we will see some more out-of-the-box and original initiatives designed to reach the grass-roots community; we will be partnering with local talent to get these messages across to those in the gangs.”