Men are bailed in shooting investigation
By Ruth O'Kelly-Lynch and Nadia Arandjelovic
Two men arrested in connection with a shooting at Southside Cinema on Friday night were released on Police bail yesterday.
Jahmel Blakeney, the 28-year-old son of Government Minister Glenn Blakeney, and 18-year-old Sanchey Kiajuan Grant, of Hamilton Parish, were arrested on Saturday in connection with the shooting of Shaki Minors, 26, and Renee Kuchler, 24.
Police released the two men on bail, pending forensic results, a spokesman said.
However, Grant was remanded into Police custody yesterday afternoon after he appeared in Magistrates' Court in front of Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner for violating a probation order in an unrelated matter. He will reappear at a later date.
Yesterday the Police said they were still appealing to the public for more information that could lead to a conviction.
"The Bermuda Police Service is expediting the examination of all physical evidence but still need support from any witnesses who were in the area and have not yet contacted us.
"Investigators have received good assistance from members of the public so far, however anyone with any information, no matter how insignificant they think it may be is urged to contact the Serious Crime Unit," a spokesman said.
He added: "We are particularly interested in speaking with anyone who was in the vicinity of the Southside Cinema around 11 p.m. to midnight on Friday November 13 or anyone whether they saw the incident or not who attended the 9.30 p.m. movie at Southside Cinema on Friday, November 13."
The couple were gunned down outside Southside Cinema on Friday at about 11.20 p.m. after a late showing of the film 'Precious'.
Mr. Minors, a Devonshire Cougars football player, and Ms Kuchler, a CedarBridge Academy teacher, received gunshot wounds to multiple parts on their bodies as they attempted to leave the theatre car park.
Yesterday they were still recovering at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, and while Mr. Minors was in stable condition on a general ward, Ms Kuchler remained stable in intensive care.
Last year Mr. Minors pleaded guilty to possessing a bladed article and told Magistrates' Court he had it for his protection. In 2004 he pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm and actual bodily harm charges. And in 2004 Mr. Minors was set upon by thugs wielding baseball bats as he left the Southampton Oval ground after a football match.
The Royal Gazette contacted Youth and Sport Minister Glenn Blakeney on Monday for comment on his son's arrest. Late Monday evening, after this newspaper's press time, he said he condemned "whoever is proven guilty for committing such a senseless, brutal and cowardly act".
He added the perpetrators "should face the full consequence of the law, once justice is done and seen to be done".
He continued: "Nonetheless, no matter who was arrested or who may be suspected, they are entitled to their day in court without there being a rush to judgment.
"However, of far greater importance and concern to me is the condition of the victims and my sincere hope that their families find the strength to be strong in supporting each other under such traumatic circumstances.
"No family deserves to be subjected to this sort of evil and I pray the victims experience a full and speedy recovery.
"I am saddened and devastated that these senseless acts of violence continue to plague our beloved Island and I again appeal to those involved in these vengeful life-threatening acts to cease warring among themselves.
"There are no winners only losers that result from this reprehensible anti-social behaviour. Our young black men, our densely populated communities and indeed the entire country is better than this.
"So I beg of anyone that has any helpful information to cooperate with the Police in solving this crime and bring the culprits whoever they might be to justice. Again, I express my heartfelt sympathy to the victims and their families."
Anyone with any information can contact the Serious Crime Unit on 299-8115, the Crime Stoppers hot line on 800-8477 or submit an anonymous tip to the website at www.crimestoppers.bm
