A gunman blasted two teenagers after going berserk in a crowded Court Street nightclub in the early hours yesterday.

Terrified party-goers dived for cover as one youngster was sprayed with five bullets. The 19-year-old was last night fighting for his life after a five-hour emergency operation. The other teenager was treated for a hand wound.

The Spinning Wheel Night Club shooting was drug-related, informed sources told The Royal Gazette .

One eye-witness exclaimed: "It was like a scene from a movie -- one of those New Jack City deals.'' Another said: "There was a lot of confusion. Everybody scattered and ran for cover as the shots rang out. I managed to get out of the club.'' The gunman fled the scene before Police arrived to find the victims lying outside the club in a pool of blood.

Some witnesses claimed Police were hopelessly outnumbered as an angry 700-strong mob gathered around the time of the shooting.

A dozen officers could only watch as Molotov cocktails and rocks were hurled at a car in a parking lot opposite the Spinning Wheel.

Fire-fighters put out the blaze, but the vehicle was completely wrecked.

Earlier, rocks -- described by witnesses as being the size of "three crash helmets'' -- had been thrown at officers, forcing them to move patrol cars.

One Reserve Policeman was said to have been slightly injured by a missile.

Sources said the Police firearms team were later called out, although this was not officially confirmed.

"I would doubt very much they went out,'' said Police spokeswoman Sgt.

Roseanda Jones.

She added Police -- who are on 12-hour shifts over Hallowe'en -- believed the shooting and the fire-bombing were related.

An investigation into the incidents was being spearheaded by Acting Chief Inspector Jonathan Smith, said Sgt. Jones.

"Several people have come forward to assist and we appreciate that,'' she said.

"As a result of that information we have been following up specific information today.'' Police are appealing for witnesses. Acting Chief Insp. Smith can be contacted at the incident room on 299-4321 or 295-0011.

Yesterday's drama started minutes before 2 a.m. after a steady build-up of tension.

The Spinning Wheel was packed with people upstairs enjoying a Saturday night "sound clash''.

The competition featured three sound systems, Dub City, Firestone, and Soul Jah One.

Bedlam erupted when a man armed with a suspected nine millimetre handgun opened fire, pumping five bullets into one youngster. They are believed to have struck him in the neck and chest.

One witness, who lives in the Crawl Hill area, said: "It was dumb shit. I was just partying upstairs when I heard this guy say something had been stolen or something.

"These others were jeering and taunting him, and then this guy just lost his head.'' He described how people dived for cover and began stampeding as the shots rang out.

"I think the gun came from outside the club. It was handed to this guy by some big guy in an army coat who came through the playground.'' He added customers took the bleeding teenagers outside the club.

One man who happened to be passing the club after the shooting said: "I saw this guy lying on the ground bleeding.

"There was a huge crowd around him and people were shouting out `get away'.

There seemed to be some fighting.'' Sgt. Jones said the injured youngsters were whisked by ambulance to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

Last night the 19-year-old, from Hamilton Parish, was under intensive care and in "critical condition''.

The other, aged 16 and from Pembroke, was being detained after receiving treatment to his hand.

"He is all right. His injuries are not life-threatening,'' said Sgt. Jones.

Sgt. Jones added the crowd which gathered after the shooting was "somewhat unruly''.

But their anger was not directed at the Police.

"Around this same time, a private car was also torched in the parking lot opposite the club. The fire department attended and put out the blaze but the car was completely destroyed by fire.

"At this stage we cannot confirm this was connected with the same incident at the Spinning Wheel.'' A witness described the scene after the fire-bombing. "Me and my boy came outside the club and just saw flames gushing and everyone in the road watching. Even the Police and firemen just stood there and watched the car burn down to the frame.'' He told how a crowd watched the Subaru 1,800 go up in flames, its left door hanging open and tyres popping.

"It's always guys battling over the same things, drugs, money or women and it seems to be getting worse.

"`If you take from me, I take back from you...even if it's your life'.'' He continued: "Seems like you can't go out anywhere without incidents like this happening.

"You just have to protect yourself and hope your number don't come up.'' Bullets fired in Court Street club From Page 1 Police sealed off Court Street for several hours after the incidents as scenes-of-crimes officers scoured the Spinning Wheel. They later reopened the street, although the club was cordoned off. Yesterday afternoon the area was quiet and almost deserted, although the shooting was still on everybody's minds.

One woman, who lives in Ewing Street, said: "Bermuda Government ought to do something to protect us in this area.

"There is one rule for whites, and one rule for blacks. It is double standards. You never see Police patrolling the area. They refuse to come down unless something like this happens. They ought to come down here when it is quiet, and build up good relations.'' The woman also claimed many people who went to the Spinning Wheel did not come from the immediate area.

"They come from down the country, from Somerset and St. George's.'' Mrs. Nancy Spencer, of Dundonald Street, said she was at home when pandemonium erupted.

"I went out of the area because I knew something was going to happen. There was a lot of fighting in the street.'' Mrs. Spencer said she went into the street after hearing the sirens.

"I saw Police. I wouldn't say they were hiding, but they were afraid to come down.

"I couldn't blame them because they weren't properly protected. They didn't have bullet-proof vests. There were also bottles being thrown about.'' Sgt. Jones, however, was quick to stamp on criticism of the Police. She said Police were on the scene quickly.

"Two officers were in the vicinity prior to the shooting incident. They were down there on another unrelated matter.'' As to officers being afraid, she replied: "How can anyone say what they were feeling? Nobody else can say.'' Sgt. Jones said Police would be holding an 11 a.m. Press conference today on the incidents.

The shooting comes amid growing concern over firearms in Bermuda.

This month, Assistant Police Commissioner Wayne Perinchief revealed guns were being smuggled into Bermuda on cargo ships, many ending up in the hands of drug dealers.

Most smuggled guns had been stolen in the United States, and figures suggested they were coming in at a faster rate, he said.

Between January 1 and September 30 this year Police dealt with 22 cases involving firearms, mainly handguns.

Last night Labour and Home Affairs Minister the Hon. Irving Pearman and Human Affairs Minister the Hon. Jerome Dill voiced shock at the shooting.

"The Government deplored this senseless, violent incident,'' they said in a joint statement.

"Firearms are outlawed here. They have no place in the Bermuda community, and the Bermuda community is determined that they should not become a part of our lives.

"The Police deserve credit for their swift action. The Government has always supported and continues to support their efforts, and they should know that the country is behind them in the fight against this type of crime.

"The Police have stepped up their patrols tonight and tomorrow night. We hope that parents who are concerned about and feel a responsibility for their children will take appropriate steps to ensure they know where they are on Hallowe'en, or, better still, that they accompany them on their trick-or-treating.

"Let's make this a Hallowe'en without incident.'' Government backbencher and St. George's South MP Mrs. Grace Bell believed nightclubs might have to install metal detectors.

"There have been rumours about a group of people travelling around armed this weekend,'' she said.

Mrs. Bell also suggested clubs would have to tighten up on under-age drinking.

"All parents have to very worried about what is happening.'' She added: "On spiritual note, I have to say Bermuda seems to becoming more and more morally bankrupt.

"One hopes and prays we will return to spirituality.'' Progressive Labour Party leader Mr. Frederick Wade said last night he was "alarmed'' by the shooting, which happened near his party's Alaska Hall headquarters.

"We as a party deplore the escalating incidents of crime, especially crimes using firearms.

"Naturally we are concerned about the violence among young people, and directed against young people and innocent citizens, and tourists.'' Mr. Wade urged parents and schoolteachers to keep an eye on children over Hallowe'en.

"I trust schoolteachers and parents will talk to children on Monday and make sure they refrain from any pranks or activities which could endanger others.'' Police yesterday were quizzing several people over the Court Street shooting and fire-bombing.

"Several people have been taken into custody, although no charges have yet been laid,'' said Police spokeswoman Sgt. Roseanda Jones.

"Court appearances can be expected in the near future.''