A young Bermudian was last night fighting for his life in hospital after being shot during a burglary at an apartment.

Gregory Armstrong suffered life-threatening injuries in the incident at the home in Huntsville, Alabama, at about 9 p.m. on Monday.

The victim, in his early 20s, is believed to be living at the address while studying as an undergraduate at a nearby university.

His mother, Reverend Judith Gardner from St. Paul's AME Church, is currently at his bedside in Huntsville Hospital.

Rev. Gardner flew out from the Island with Mr. Armstrong's two sisters yesterday after hearing about the shooting.

Mr. Armstrong is reported to be suffering injuries to his left upper abdomen. He has undergone initial surgery, but Police in Alabama said yesterday evening that he remained in a life-threatening condition.

Police have released limited details about the incident.

They say officers called at the apartment, in Sparkman Drive, after receiving a report of a burglary. They discovered Mr. Armstrong with severe injuries, and he was immediately rushed to hospital by ambulance.

Witnesses told Police two men were seen running from the apartment after the shooting.

Sgt. Mark Roberts, of the Huntsville Police Department, said: "Upon arrival, officers discovered the victim, Gregory Armstrong, had been shot by two unknown males during the incident.

"He was transported to Huntsville Hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries. Police are investigating the incident."

Reverend Lanel Guyton, of St. Paul's AME, in Church Street, has been in close contact with Rev. Gardner.

"All we know is that Gregory is badly injured, probably by gunfire," said Rev. Guyton.

"I got an urgent call to say Reverend Gardner was going to Alabama to find out exactly what has been going on. She didn't know many details about what has happened herself. I saw the family off on to the plane.

"It is a critical stage. It is a very difficult time for Rev. Gardner but she is just praying for her son. I can't imagine what the family is going through. We need the church and the community to pray for her."

Rev. Guyton said Mr. Armstrong had been closely involved with the church when he lived in Bermuda. As the Reverend was relatively new to the church, he had not met Mr. Armstrong many times ? but he said he had made a favourable impression.

"He's a good young man," he said. "As soon as he comes home from college, he comes to the church and worships with us, sharing his experiences with the other young people.

"Whenever something happens of this nature, it is tragic. It is especially sad because Gregory had gone to Alabama to make something of himself.

"He went to college to try to better himself, to come back and be an integral part of this country in Bermuda. He's a very young man who decided he was prepared to work to get himself a bright future.

"We are hoping and praying that whatever his situation he will pull through."

Rev. Guyton said the family had received support from well-wishers across the community.

"The family is going to support one another," he added. "There is a need for the community to support this family. It's times like this when people in Bermuda need to come together.

"I want to thank Malcolm Eve, the presiding elder of the AME, for his support. Also, I want to thank all those members of St. Paul's AME Church and members of the community who have called the church office. This has touched a lot of people."

Media reports in Huntsville suggest the incident happened at Mr. Armstrong's own home, but Police were unable to confirm the suggestion. They could also not say whether anything was stolen in the raid, or whether anybody else was in the apartment at the time.

Sources in Alabama have suggested Mr. Armstrong is a student at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, although officials at the university were unable to confirm that yesterday.

A spokesman from Alabama A&M University ? where other reports have claimed Mr. Armstrong is a student ? said he was not on the register.

Mr. Armstrong, a former Berkeley pupil, has also worked as a summer student at Elbow Beach.