A mother of two who was killed by a lone gunman yesterday was described this afternoon as “a hard worker with a vibrant, beautiful personality”.

Janae Minors was shot in the Beauty Monster salon at the corner of Court Street and Dundonald Street at about 4.45pm.

Appealing for information this afternoon, Chief Inspector Derricka Burns said: “We are here today under very distressing circumstances following another tragic incident that has deeply impacted our community.”

She explained that at the time of the shooting, a lone gunman entered the shop and shot at a woman inside.

Emergency services were quickly on the scene, Ms Burns added, and first responders began life-saving measures.

However, it was confirmed within hours that the woman was pronounced dead shortly after she was taken to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

Ms Burns said: “The 37-year-old victim, Ms Janae Minors, was a mother of two, ages 16 and 18, and she has been described as a hard worker with a vibrant, beautiful personality.

“It is extremely tragic and heartbreaking that she has lost her life in this manner.”

The killing happened in a spot no more than 20 yards away from where a double murder took place five weeks earlier, when Natrae Eversley, 23, and Nakai Robinson, 18, were shot dead, with a third person left injured.

Ms Burns said that “fear and concern” was understandably reignited among area residents and business owners.

“We know that the safety and wellbeing of our community is being tested, and we want to ensure the public that a full and thorough investigation is under way,” she added.

“Detectives from the serious crime unit are actively pursuing all leads, and we are working to identify and locate the individual responsible.”

Police said that the shooter rode alone on to Court Street, parked a cycle there, and walked to the salon, where he entered and opened fire.

Ms Burns added: “The suspect then returned to his cycle on Court Street and made [his] way north on Court Street towards TCD [Transport Control Department].

“What we can say is that the suspect is believed to have been wearing a black jacket, grey sweatpants and a black helmet and bright-coloured gloves.

“A CCTV trawl is in progress to track the movements of the suspect.”

Ms Burns added that a stolen cycle was used in the attack.

She told the community that “now is the time” for people to come forward with information, no matter how insignificant it may seem.

Ms Burns said: “I would say that this appears to be a targeted attack and in light of the increased tensions in our community, we have increased patrols … to provide visible reassurance and support to the community.”

She added: “To the family and loved ones of Ms Minors, our hearts are with you during this very difficult time. We are committed to seeking justice on your behalf.”

Darrin Simons, the Commissioner of Police, also offered his condolences to the victim’s family.

He said: “This situation should be cause for grave concern for all the residents of our island.

“While it is clearly the responsibility of my team and me to bring those responsible for this heinous act to justice, there are persons out there who may not be involved but know who is behind it or what has happened.

“You have a responsibility to this community, to this island, to our people, to share that information with us.

“We are focusing all resources, stretched though they may be, on this investigation.

“There has been heightened police presence in North Hamilton as we seek to bring calm and provide reassurance to the community.

“That heightened police presence will also be apparent across the island with an increase in already stepped-up stop-and-search activity.

“The public can expect to be inconvenienced by this activity. This is necessary to ensure that we utilise every lawful opportunity and power available to us, to stem the tide of criminality being perpetrated on our peace-loving community by a very small group of individuals.

“My officers and I are committed to this effort and there will be other measures implemented in the coming days and weeks to augment our efforts.”

Michael Weeks, the Minister of National Security, told the briefing that he had regular meetings with police leadership, community partners and government colleagues “to address the deeper cause of the violence”.

“We are working in a co-ordinated way to prevent young people from being drawn to crime, to support those already at risk and to ensure that law enforcement efforts are well resourced and intelligence led” he added.

“This is difficult work, but it is essential if we are to stop the cycle that has led to tragedies like this one we are speaking about today.

“I know that many in our neighbourhoods are tired, worried and even fearful of us seeing yet another shooting after the recent double murder in the same area ... I understand that.

“I also know that Bermudians have a long history of resilience and care for one another.

“If we stand together — residents, community leaders and the Government — we can make our streets safer and give our young people hope for a better future.”

Anyone with information was asked to call the serious crime unit on 247-1739, Ms Burns on 717-0921, or to e-mail her at dburns@bps.bm.

More to follow ...

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