It was just a normal sunny Saturday in Court Street as shops opened up for business and people began preparing for the Bermuda Day celebrations.

Shortly after 9 a.m. however, carnage ensued as a man wielding a gun jumped out of a car and began chasing another man down the street, shouting and firing after him.

According to witnesses, the gunman then opened the door to the C & R Discount store at the corner of Court Street and Elliott Street, firing several more shots inside. He made good his escape in a dark blue car which sped off towards Front Street.

Police would not disclose any details about the incident but have confirmed two of the men shot in the drive-by shooting were "working in the area" while another was visiting "one of the local stores".

As Police sealed off sections of Court Street, Elliott Street and Angle Street for forensic examination, a subdued silence descended upon the normally bustling thoroughfare.

Occasionally it was punctured by blasts of reggae from a PA set up for the Gina Spence Farmer concert due to take place that evening. The upbeat, happy melodies only served to accentuate the sense of shock and anguish.

"There was a lot of people on the street. I just heard the explosion of the first gunshot and immediately took cover," said Raphael Barnett, 52, who runs the fruit and vegetable truck 'Diamond One Stop'.

"It was pretty tense. People were just running."

Allan Outerbridge, 58, said: "I saw the guy in the middle of the street and he was chasing another man. The guy with the gun was chasing and firing. Then he pulled the door open and fired shots into the place (C&R Discount store).

"It just looked like something you see on the TV. Everybody went for cover. I guess if you want to call that scared, yes, they were scared."

He added: "I heard a couple of people in the shop got shot."

Shaun Trott, 29, had just had a shave at the 'Prestige' barber shop when the incident happened. He said: "This violence has got to stop. It's just not right. This is supposed to be celebration time, it's Bermuda Day."

Vernon Robinson, 82, who used to run Leon's gambling joint, added: "Something has to be seriously done about this. It's certainly bad for business here. Government have to get serious with this thing."

Andre Smith, 56, who lives in an apartment on the corner of Court Street and Elliott Street, said: "What do I think about it? I think it's time for it to cease.

"Scared? Of course I was scared."

Shelton Baker, 37, who grew up in Court Street, said: "It's madness. It's a good community we have here, we all know everybody.

"If it hasn't done it already, then it is making people scared. People won't want to come out here and this is a real shame, especially as they're trying to revamp Court Street into good business, and to get people to come and shop here.

"This is all about the youth on the youth. But Bermuda is a family-oriented community and this shouldn't be happening.

"It is really putting a dampener on the spirit, especially with the 400th year. It hurts to see it.

"It is shocking. There are really no words to describe it."

n Editorial & Opinion – Page 4