Hundreds gathered at Shelly Bay Field on Saturday night for a sunset vigil to pay tribute to a father and former prison officer.

Ernest Peets, the Minister of Youth, Culture and Sport, said that while he was saddened by the death of Daemon Bell, the gathering of support for his family had given him a sense of hope.

Dr Peets said: “I am a father of four, and I cannot imagine what it would be like for my family and my children to lose me as a father, as a provider, as a caretaker.

“On the one hand, there is this deep sense of sorrow about what has happened, but on the other as I look out into the darkness of tonight and I see the lights of your cars and your candles and all the people in attendance today, I am encouraged.”

More than 50 cars parked on the field for the socially-distanced event which featured speeches, prayers and music in support of Mr Bell’s family.

Stephen Outerbridge, the president of Bailey’s Bay Cricket Club, said Mr Bell had always been supportive of the club’s work and worked to make his community better.

Mr Outerbridge said: “I just encourage everyone to get involved in some capacity.

“We are all professionals in various areas, and right now our community needs your expertise. We cannot run away from a problem that affects us all.”

Kristen White said that she hoped that this time of tragedy might inspire the public to take action to help heal the community.

She added: “That would be a fitting legacy for Daemon.”

Mr Bell, 49, a prison officer and father of one, died after an altercation on Shelly Bay Field on February 2. Ajamu Hollis, 46, has been charged with the murder of Mr Bell, but has not had an opportunity to enter a plea.