A night of brutal violence resulted in the murder of 18-year-old Jason Lightbourne, who became the fifth shooting victim on the island within 90 days and the first fatality.

The same night another teenager was left fighting for his life after being attacked with a bladed weapon.

Former CedarBridge Academy student Jason was shot and killed on Ord Road in Paget. Less than two hours earlier a 19-year-old was critically injured in a separate attack involving a bladed weapon on Frog Lane in Devonshire.

Residents of Ord Road woke to find a section of the neighbourhood cordoned off by Police searching for clues to the shooting which happened close to Paget Primary School. The Police investigation was hampered by a lack of people coming forward with information. Bermuda Police Commissioner George Jackson said: “If people with information are not willing to help no amount of outside help or assistance is going to change the outcome of an investigation. We have to remember that those who witnessed these two incidents have a civic duty to perform. Failing to perform a civic duty results in anarchy and people running wild. Hence, I ask the assistance of the public.”

Jason was found in a white car, which had left the road near Paget Primary School. Despite a major police investigation no one has yet been charged with the murder of the teenager.

The Ord Road shooting came only three weeks after a drive-by shooting at The Swizzle restaurant and pub on South Road. In that incident an 18-year-old suffered chest and arm injuries. It was feared the shooting was part of a turf war between rival gangs. The victim had been standing with three other men on a grass verge at the junction of South Road and Dunscombe Road late at night when he was shot by a gunmen who was no more than 20 feet away. The spot is a popular hangout for Ord Road gang members and the bar was packed inside and out with tourists and locals.

“I’d just got to the bar and all of a sudden I heard three loud shots; pap, pap, pap. The young guy looked like he was shot in the left arm and he was bleeding,” said an eyewitness.

The two shootings followed a triple shooting on Court Street in April when a woman and two men needed surgery after an attacker opened fire in a Swinging Doors night club.

Premier Alex Scott and Public Safety Minister Randy Horton later visited the Swizzle restaurant to restore public confidence in the safety of the area.

The shooting led to calls from the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce for more overseas recruits to boost the Police service. Government also said it was concerned about the recent crimes and staff shortages within the Police. Shortly afterwards the Governor and Government together to pledged the Police service will be fully up the strength within three months.