A man was being treated in hospital yesterday after an early-hours shooting in Devonshire.

Darrin Simons, the Commissioner of Police, said that one preliminary line of inquiry was that the latest incident could be in response to recent gun attacks.

Police and emergency medical services personnel responded to a report of gunshots at a private home on Devon Springs Road at about 12.50am yesterday.

A spokesman for the Bermuda Police Service said: “Upon arrival, it was ascertained that a male had sustained gunshot wounds.

“He was provided emergency medical treatment at the scene and subsequently transported to the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, where at last check he continued to receive treatment for his injuries.”

Mr Simons later told The Royal Gazette: “The early hypothesis is that the shooting incident that occurred this morning in Devonshire is likely linked to an earlier shooting incident.”

Police continue to investigate the double murder of Natrae Eversley, 23, and Nakai Robinson, 18, who were shot dead near the junction of Court Street and Dundonald Street at about 4.40pm on August 12, when a third person was injured.

A 16-year-old and a 21-year-old were later arrested in connection with the incident.

Mr Simons said: “We also continue to ask the public for their assistance because there are people who know something about or have seen some unusual activity around what happened, and we want them to come forward with that information.”

Asked about his initial thoughts upon hearing of a firearm incident more generally, Mr Simons said that he considered any potential consequences.

“My immediate thoughts and responses are, has anybody been injured? Is anybody deceased as a result of that and what are going to be the immediate or likely immediate ramifications of that incident?” he said.

“There is an entire machine that kicks into play when these incidents happen. It is a well-oiled, well-run machine in terms of immediate investigative response.

“I also think, at my level, who do I need to notify? Definitely the Governor and the minister [of national security]. I would make sure that they have facts about the incident.”

Reflecting from a more personal perspective, the officer of 32 years added: “I still think it’s tragic. I can remember a time when Bermuda didn’t experience these types of incidents at all.

“As a young police officer, it wasn’t until maybe 15 years into my career where we started to see firearms being used when tensions rise across different groups.

“I still think it is tragic that Bermuda is travelling a similar path as other places, whether it be Caribbean countries, nations, islands or even larger jurisdictions.

“What’s happening in Bermuda is not unique to Bermuda by any stretch of the imagination; it has just taken many more years to occur in Bermuda.”

The BPS spokesman said yesterday that an investigation was under way into the shooting on Devon Springs Road and anyone with information was asked to call Acting Detective Inspector Anneka Donawa, of the serious crime unit, on 717-2250 or to e-mail adonawa@bps.bm.

The independent and confidential Crime Stoppers number 800-8477 can also be used, as well as the police reporting portal at portal.police.bm.

Anyone with information can alternatively confide in a police officer with whom they are familiar.

• Video by Akil Simmons

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