Jahmel Glen Blakeney, the son of Environment Minister Glenn Blakeney, has been arrested in New York on charges of attempted murder and firearms offences, Police said this morning.

Detective Chief Inspector Nicholas Pedro said: “The arrest is in relation to the attempted murder of Renee Kuchler and Shaki Minors, who were shot multiple times as they left a movie cinema at Southside, St. George’s, on Friday, November 13, 2009. Mr. Blakeney was arrested at the time of the offence and later bailed.

“Mr. Blakeney never answered Police bail. Enquiries revealed he left the Island on November 30, 2009, and was tracked by the Bermuda Police Service to the New York region of the United States.

“An extradition request was prepared by the Bermuda office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, and served on the Justice Department in the USA through diplomatic channels.

“It is anticipated that Mr. Blakeney will be before Bermuda courts in the near future to face the charges laid against him, and a co-defendant who has already been charged.”

* Full story in tomorrow’s Royal Gazette.