The murder of David Clarke was one in a series of tit-for-tat shootings between rival gangs.

However, the Supreme Court heard yesterday Mr Clarke was not believed to be affiliated with any gang, although his brother was linked to Parkside, which was involved in a violent feud with the rival 42 gang.

Jahkeo LeShore, 32, and Darrion Simons, 21, both deny the premeditated murder of Mr Clarke, 26, who was shot while riding his motorcycle near the entrance to Bandroom Lane on April 17, 2011. Prosecutors have suggested the killing was in retaliation for the murder of Mr LeShore’s brother, Jahmiko, who was fatally shot six weeks earlier.

The court previously heard that the firearm used to kill Mr Clarke had been used less than three weeks earlier in the murder of Randy Robinson, who was gunned down by Jay Dill and Devon Hewey.

The jury were also shown CCTV footage from the Mid-Atlantic Boat Club from the night of the killing, which showed the victim and both the defendants were socialising in the hours leading up to the shooting.

As the trial continued yesterday, supervisor of the Bermuda Police Service’s Gang Targeting Unit Sargeant Alexander Rollin took the stand, telling the court that in his opinion both of the defendants were members of the St Monica’s Road-based 42 gang.

And while he said he did not believe the victim to be affiliated with any gang, his brother D’Angelo Clarke was a member of FRS, a Friswell’s Hill-based gang affiliated with Parkside.

Sgt Rollins told the court that he had based his opinions on his own observations of the groups over several years along with photographs and information from sources, social networks and a police database.

He said that while Mr LeShore did not live in the area associated with 42, he frequently saw both defendants in 42 territory and socialising with 42 members.

Sgt Rollin said that to his knowledge 42 and Parkside had once been friendly, but the groups had split leading to a series of tit-for-tat shootings.

He explained that while the shootings were retaliatory in nature, gang members would sometimes target the friends or family of those responsible for previous attacks rather than the attacker themselves.

“If I was on patrol and I saw someone from Parkside and recognised them in 42 territory, I would be concerned,” he said. “I would be concerned either for their safety or that they were committing some sort of crime.”

The jury were shown a series of pictures seized by police, showing Mr LeShore and Mr Simons with individuals including Jahmiko LeShore, Christopher Paris, Dameko Dublin, Jay Dill, Kofi Dill and Julian Washington, all of whom Sgt Rollin identified as members of 42.

However defence lawyer Larry Mussenden, representing Mr Simons, suggested that Sgt Rollin had mislabelled his client.

Mr Mussenden said that while the officer had told the court gang members often flash gang signs, gang jewellery and were involved in gang activities “on a daily basis”, his client did not fit that criteria.

Sgt Rollin disagreed, reiterating that based on the information he had received he was of the opinion that Mr Simons was a member of 42, rather than being an “associate” or “wannabe”.

Under cross-examination by Charles Richardson, representing Mr LeShore, Sgt Rollin confirmed that the Mid-Atlantic Boat Club was considered a 42 hangout, and that he would expect conflict if someone affiliated with Parkside attended the bar when 42 members were present. “I expect there would be a problem,” Sgt Rollin said.

The trial continues.