The Police have welcomed the conviction of a man involved in the Court Street triple shooting, and say they are still hunting for the main culprits.

Cervio Cox loaned his car to alleged 42 gangsters who drove it to the scene of the crime on the morning of May 23 last year.

Three men were shot and injured in the incident, which was allegedly revenge against the rival Parkside gang.

Cox was convicted by a jury on Wednesday of three counts of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and jailed on Thursday for seven years.

He was the first person to be brought to justice in respect of what has proved to be a spate of shootings in the past year.

In a statement issued yesterday, Detective Chief Inspector Nicholas Pedro, the officer in charge of the Serious Crime Unit said: "The verdict was a testament to the hard work and dedication of Police officers and prosecutors that brought the case to a successful conclusion."

Although it was never alleged that Cox pulled the trigger during the Court Street bloodshed, he is guilty in the eyes of the law through aiding and abetting the attack.

He's the only participant to have been brought before the courts, and Mr. Pedro said the case was "noteworthy" in that the provision within the criminal code to charge those who aid crimes was used.

"We believe this case demonstrates the resolve of the service and the DPP to pursue all avenues to seek justice for victims and their families," he commented.

A gunman described as a Jamaican and never alleged to be Cox opened fire on 16-year-old Parkside associate J'Dun Thompson around 9 a.m. while Court Street was busy with passers-by.

He shot the teenager in the foot before chasing him into nearby C&R Discount Store and opening fire on innocent store workers Raymond Burgess Jr. and his father Raymond Sr. who suffered flesh wounds to their elbow and thigh respectively.

The gunman made off in Cox's car, which also contained a driver and rear-seat passenger.

During the case, defence lawyer Jerome Lynch QC claimed the Police know the true identities of the three men involved, but have not got enough evidence to press charges.

Jailing Cox, Puisne Judge Carlisle Greaves said he was "troubled" by the fact that although eyewitnesses described the gunman, no positive outcomes came from ID parades, and some who gave a name later said they were mistaken. Others declined to come to court to give evidence.

Mr. Pedro said yesterday: "Whilst we have not yet prosecuted the gunman, this aspect of the case remains open, and where the evidence allows us to pursue other offenders, we will do so."

There have been eight gun murders in the past year, but no one charged or convicted.

Mr. Pedro said yesterday: "We would like to take this opportunity to remind the public that the Bermuda Police Service is continuing its investigation into the spate of murders and shootings that have recently plagued our Island.

"In January of this year, additional investigators were brought in from overseas to provide added capacity to the Serious Crime Unit in resolving outstanding cases. In recent months, four persons have been charged with attempted murder through use of firearms, and two other persons charged with firearms offences where firearms were discharged at members of the public.

"The additional capacity has enabled our investigators to focus on the more serious cases, and this strategy is beginning to bear fruit. It is expected that in the coming weeks and months, more persons will appear before the courts on these serious offences, including murder."

He thanked members of the public for their assistance, and encouraged them to continue to help the Police.

Responding to Mr. Pedro's comments, Cox's lawyer Mr. Lynch, a leading lawyer in London, said: "The Police need greater powers, greater resources and a greater commitment from Government to secure the necessary convictions to bring this madness to an end."

Mr. Lynch's comments came during an in-depth interview with this newspaper about measures Bermuda could adopt to tackle escalating gun crime. Read the full story in Monday's edition of The Royal Gazette.