The detective leading the investigation into the Boxing Day killing of Aquil Richardson yesterday thanked witnesses for coming forward.

But Det. Chief Insp. Antoine Daniels stressed Police were still hoping to hear from anyone else who can help with their inquiries and add to the 150-plus witness statements recorded by officers so far.

Mr. Richardson, 30, was shot dead while sitting on a wall at the corner of Spice Hill Road and Horseshoe Road, Camp Hill, Southampton, at 9 p.m. In the same incident, Lavar Smith, 25, was shot in the legs.

Mr. Smith was taken to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital where he was treated for his injuries. On Tuesday this week, Antoine Herbert Anderson, 31, and Jamaican Phillip Anthony Bradshaw, 26, appeared in Magistrates' Court charged with murdering Mr. Richardson and assaulting Mr. Smith.

Neither was required to enter a plea and both were remanded into custody.

Det. Chief Insp. Daniels said in his statement: "The BPS is extremely encouraged by the amount of assistance received from the public recently.

"Officers continue to receive calls from members of the public offering information.

"In the past two weeks alone, several witness statements containing critical information have been recorded.

"To date there have been in excess of 150 witness statements recorded by investigators, as well as numerous positive interactions with potential witnesses and persons of interest.

"Once again, as the officer directly responsible for leading these inquiries, I would like to use this opportunity to thank all of those persons who have come forward and assisted officers in their pursuit of the alleged perpetrators.

"Indeed, the Bermuda Police Service's capacity to deal with crime depends to a large extent upon its relationship with the community.

"Although the Bermuda Police Service is pleased with the cooperation of the community so far, we would like to make a further appeal encouraging those individuals with relevant information, particularly eyewitnesses, to contact Police."

He also asked for witnesses to the Christmas Day shooting of Jakai Harford, also in Camp Hill.

Det. Chief Insp. Daniels also dismissed rumours he said had been circulating regarding threats to potential witnesses as "incorrect and false".

Anyone with information should call 299-4315 or CrimeStoppers anonymously on 1-800-623-8477.