A man has been arrested in connection with a double shooting which Police have confirmed is gang related.

The victims, a 24-year-old Pembroke man and a 31-year-old Devonshire man were taken to hospital after the shooting for treatment to their wounds.

This newspaper understand one man was shot two or three times in his arm and hand while the other man was shot at least three times in the chest on Friday.

Shots rang out in the Rubber Tree area of Middletown after 6 p.m. on Friday night with Police swarming the area armed and unarmed.

The junction of King Street and Elliott Street was blocked off to the public by armed Police who only allowed those living in the area access to the street.

Acting Assistant Commissioner James Howard and Acting Chief Inspector Calvin Smith updated the public yesterday on the shooting.

Mr. Howard said: "Inquiries are ongoing. The Serious Crime Unit has 20 detectives investigating this incident and has adequate resources available to assist if necessary.

"A 26-year-old Pembroke man is currently in custody in connection with this matter."

Asked if the shooting was gang related, Mr. Howard said: "From the information that we have, that can be confirmed. We have no information to confirm that it was from last Saturday."

Mr. Smith said they were unable to say what gangs were involved but did say the gun used was a semi-automatic weapon.

The 24-year-old victim is still in hospital on a general ward and the 31-year-old was discharged.

It is the second shooting in the past week where victims were wounded.

Last Saturday, Jah-Lario Samuels-Dill was shot just after 4 p.m. in his upper torso near Yardie Kitchen on Glebe Road, Pembroke. He ran into a nearby home immediately after shouting, "help me, I've been shot" before collapsing on the floor. He was then rushed to the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital and was released Sunday evening.

A 20-year-old man and a 30-year-old man were arrested in connection with the shooting. Both men have been bailed and will return to the Police in three or four weeks.

Police are appealing for witnesses to contact Mr. Smith at the Serious Crime Unit on 295-0011. They are interested in speaking with anyone who was in the Dundonald Street, Union Street, Parsons Road, King Street and Middletown Lane area between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Friday and saw anyone acting suspiciously.

In addition, anyone with any information can call the confidential Crime Stoppers hotline on 800-8477 or submit an anonymous tip via the Crime Stoppers Bermuda website www.crimestoppers.bm