A 16-year-old boy was shot in the early hours of Saturday morning — the youngest person shot so far.

The shooting happened at 1.40 a.m. on the Bermuda College's premises. This newspaper understand it was on College Road, behind the gymnasium.

The Warwick man was taken to hospital and later released.

A Police statement said: "It appears that during a function at the premises, a physical altercation took place between several young men. The victim, received a gunshot wound to the upper body and an injury to his head.

"A car on the premises was also damaged. It is believed the two incidents may be linked. An investigation into these matters is underway."

Police have yet to arrest a suspect. However, Bermuda College spokeswoman Evelyn James Barnett stressed that the shooting did not take place at an event that was being hosted by the Student Government Council (SGC) in the Student Hall.

"We take the issue of student safety very seriously and in this instance, as at all SGC-sponsored events, there was a strong security presence inside the Hall, as well as externally, using Bermuda College security officers and those from an external agency.

"Nevertheless, the event was ended early by chaperones and persons left the College without incident."

The Governor Sir Richard Gozney spoke on the shooting and said: "Naturally I deplore the further shooting at the weekend.

"To put a stop to shootings, and to yet more deaths of young Bermudians, those who were present and who saw anything, need to telephone the Serious Crime Unit or Crime Stoppers Bermuda.

"If they don't we're likely to see more young Bermudian lives cut down, and Bermuda pushed further down the wrong road. None of us want that."

Shadow Public Safety Minister Michael Dunkley also commented and said: "While it appears the frequency of shootings has fallen off since 2009, the problem behind it remains a central threat to the economic and social health of Bermuda.

"We urge everyone to support the work of the Police Service, which mans Bermuda's front line in the fight against gun wielding thugs.

"We are troubled by the fact that this weekend's shooting occurred at Bermuda College where young people from all walks of life gather. In this regard, we have questions about security arrangements for this event.

"While we understand it didn't happened in the actual event, were metal detectors not used? Was there sufficient security on hand?

"It is an unfortunate fact of life today that any significant gathering of people carries the risk of violence, and it is imperative wherever possible to make sure that security arrangements account for the possibility."

The last person shot was a man on St. Monica's Road on February 21.

Police are appealing for any witnesses or anyone with any information to contact the Serious Crime Unit on 299-8115 or the independent 24 hour confidential Crime Stoppers Bermuda hot line on 800-8477.

In addition, anyone with any information can send an anonymous tip via the Crime Stoppers Bermuda website at www.crimestoppers.bm.