Bermuda's gun death victims have been haunted by their own lifestyles, according to a former gang member who knew many of them.

Jahma Gibbons, 33, who used to sell heroin but changed his ways about six years ago, said there always has to be a reason why people are singled out by gunmen.

And he called on grieving parents to be honest about their sons' gang links, so young people can see the potential consequences of the gang lifestyle.

Now a motivational speaker, Mr. Gibbons spoke to The Royal Gazette about his criminal past and urged those still involved — many of whom remain his friends — to change their ways before they end up dead themselves.

The father-of-two grew up with Kimwandae Walker, who was shot dead while flying kites with his children on Good Friday.

Mr. Gibbons said: "For everything you do in life, for every action there's a reaction. Kimwandae was a good guy — rest in peace — a good friend of mine, but other than that there has to be a reason why he was singled out.

"There's definitely a reason why, out of everybody on the field, they came and shot him.

"I can only assume that someone may have assumed he was involved in different dealings. That's the only assumption I can make.

"There's been a few shootings where guys have been shot just because of who you are associated with."

Mr. Gibbons said he has kept touch with many of Bermuda's gang members since quitting the scene himself to become a Christian.

He said he used to make $10,000 a day selling heroin, but never went to court for his offences; he says his fortune in not being jailed has given him the chance to try to make amends by advising young people not to make the same mistakes he did.

Reflecting on those who have been killed, he said: "Whatever you do in life, it will come back to you. Most of these guys who died from guns have been living a lifestyle that's come back to haunt them.

"I have known all of them. I grew up with most of them. I wish it would never happen to them but it all comes back from the type of lifestyle they had decided to live."

Some grieving families have said they don't believe their dead loved ones were associated with gangs, and that they don't understand how they ended up being shot.

But Mr. Gibbons said: "People have to say, 'My son was involved in a gang lifestyle.' If they don't talk up, how are others going to know that's what happens to them?

"They are not breaking the silence. I think a lot of times parents are in denial.

"This here is for me breaking the silence. There may be a lot of people who don't agree with what I'm saying. But I don't live my life that way any more. I don't live my life worrying about what guys on the street think."