Hundreds of people have been urged to "bombard Heaven with prayer" as shooting victim Gregory Armstrong continues to fight for his life in hospital.

Mr. Armstrong was yesterday said to remain in a critical condition but was "doing a little better" following surgery at Huntsville Hospital, Alabama.

Police in Alabama say Mr. Armstrong, a Bermudian believed to be in his early 20s, was shot after two burglars burst into the apartment he was in at around 9 p.m. on Monday. His mother, Reverend Judith Gardner, from St. Paul AME Church, remained at his bedside yesterday. She flew from the Island with Mr. Armstrong's two sisters on Tuesday after hearing about the shooting.

An email circulating around the Island over the past 24 hours states that Rev. Gardner has called for people to pray for her son, who is reported to have sustained injuries to his left upper abdomen.

"I am emailing you to take a moment and go in serious warfare prayer for Rev. Judy Gardner's son Gregory Armstrong," the message says. "He was seriously shot last night at his home in Huntsville where he is currently abroad in school studying."

Calling for people to forward the message to their friends and family, it also states: "Rev. Judy has asked for us to bombard Heaven with prayer as the next 24 hours are critical.

"We know God is in control and that he is being held in God's hand. Please continue to pray and let your prayer warriors know."

Police have revealed little information about the incident so far.

They made appeals for witnesses through the media in Alabama on Tuesday, but the response has not produced any leads.

Sgt. Mark Roberts, of the Huntsville Police Department, said yesterday: "I was told that he already had the surgery and was doing a little better.

"Mr. Armstrong's condition has improved a little bit but he is still listed as critical."

Referring to the Police investigation, he added: "We do not have any leads as to the offenders at this time."

Witnesses have told Police two men were seen running from the Sparkman Drive apartment after the shooting.

Officers have been unable to confirm whether Mr. Armstrong was in his own apartment when he was shot, whether anyone else was there at the time or whether anything was stolen in the raid.

It is believed Mr. Armstrong is an undergraduate at a nearby university. Various sources in Alabama have linked him to the University of Alabama, the University of Alabama in Huntsville, Alabama A&M University and Oakwood College in Huntsville. However, all four institutions have said they have no students by the name Gregory Armstrong.

Mr. Armstrong has been described as an active member of St. Paul AME Church, where he would worship when he returned home from college.

Family friends have said he went to Alabama to study to "make something of himself".

He is a former Berkeley student who worked as a summer student at Elbow Beach.