Witnesses to a teenager’s murder are refusing to break their silence - despite a $50,000 reward and guarantee of anonymity.

A month after Police offered a reward to catch the killer of Jason Lightbourne, detectives have not received a single telephone call from those with information.

Their silence only serves to prolong the agony of Mr. Lightbourne’s family, who are no nearer to justice ten months after their son died.

Mr. Lightbourne, 18, was shot dead behind the wheel of a car in Ord Road, Paget, on July 23, 2006. Three men were arrested on suspicion of involvement in his death but later released. Police have not apprehended any suspects since, and detectives say the investigation is being blocked by uncooperative witnesses.

It was hoped the $50,000 reward, announced on April 18, would persuade people to come forward.

It was presented by the Bermuda Police Service in partnership with Crime Stoppers, whose call centre in Miami, Florida, guarantees anonymity.

However, despite up to 20 calls to the investigation unit, most of this is ‘second-hand’ information.

Those who really know what happened that night are staying silent, according to Police.

Last night, Mr. Lightbourne’s father, Edmund, urged any witnesses to speak out. He said: “I am disappointed. I know some people might be afraid of calling, thinking that that number might be traced back to them. Bermuda is a small place. But please come forward.”

Chief Inspector Tracy Adams said: “We’ve got some information but none which has progressed the investigation any further. A lot of it is hearsay, people talking on the street about things which occurred. We’ve not received any calls from anybody who was there on the night.

“It’s disappointing to me, in that we have the death of a young man and there are people out there who can assist in the capture of his killer.”

He said: “The family are disappointed with the slow progress and lack of community assistance, but they understand the position the Police are in.”

Chf. Insp. Adams blamed the lack of a witness protection programme on the Island for preventing people from coming forward.

A week ago, Justice Minister and Attorney General Philip Perinchief revealed that vulnerable witnesses and victims of crime could be moved abroad prior to trials to prevent intimidation. Continued protection is also under consideration.

The measures are likely to be included in new legislation aimed at improving the Island’s criminal justice system.

Chf. Insp. Adams added: “These kinds of inquiry sometimes cause people to remain silent in Bermuda. We don’t have a witness protection programme because of our small proximity and I think this hampers lots of investigations.

“Despite our best efforts as far as people coming forward, it’s not that great. We’ve used Crime Stoppers and other things as well. Some of the family members met people they thought might have information early on in the investigation last year, but that wasn’t fruitful at all.”

Forensics have also failed to yield any leads, but Chf. Insp. Adams stressed that the process is ongoing.

“The forensics side of the investigation hasn’t born fruit as yet,” he said. “We’ve sent some forensics overseas and have got negative results, but as we get more information coming through it could bring forensic leads or otherwise.”

Detectives say their next step is a continued appeal to witnesses and an open dialogue with the Ord Road neighbourhood.

“We are appealing to the community to assist us with this. If there are persons who can help then please come forward,” said Chf. Insp. Adams.

“There are ways in which we can protect your anonymity. People can call Crime Stoppers and there are also things in place that can assist with anyone fearful to come forward.

“We continue to speak to people within the neighbourhood and we are following up other leads that come through. We are looking at incidents which may be related and people that may be involved.”

Chf. Insp. Adams said: “We are determined to catch Mr. Lightbourne’s killer. There are some cases that take a bit longer than others but as long as this is an open case we will try and bring the perpetrators before the courts.”

It has been speculated that Mr. Lightbourne’s murder was linked to gang activity.

Chf. Insp. Adams said: “Until we get the perpetrators we won’t know for sure, but the early inquiry does suggest this murder could be gang related.”

Anyone with any information is urged to telephone Crime Stoppers at 1-800-623-8477. Anonymity is guaranteed.