A man was paralysed after being hit in the neck by a bullet during a double shooting early on Saturday.

Police revealed the news this morning, and also stated that neither victim is believed to be a gang member.

Detective Chief Inspector Nicholas Pedro said the victims of the incident, at 5.30am in the St. Monica’s Road area of Pembroke, are a 44-year old man and a 40-year-old man, both from Pembroke. They were on a stolen motorcycle at the time and had visited a house in the St. Monica’s area prior to the shooting.

They were found on nearby Mission Lane with multiple gunshot wounds. Police said ten shots were fired.

“Both men were seriously injured, with the 40-year-old tragically suffering paralysis as a result of these gunshot wounds, as one of the bullets traversed and severed his spine in the neck region,” said Det Ch Insp Pedro.

He added:?“It is not believed that either men are members of an identified gang.”

He declined to comment on any possible motive, but said there was nothing to suggest it was a case of mistaken identity.

Assistant Commissioner David Mirfield pleaded with the community not to carry out acts of revenge or reprisal. "The cycle of violence must be broken so the community can be made safer for everyone.

"The Bermuda Police Service is working hard to bring offenders to justice, which can be seen in the recent appearances of persons before the courts, with convictions in the courts in recent months for a variety of serious offences.

"The public must trust the Police Service to bring all offenders to justice and it is only with the continued cooperation of the community to prevent violence and assist the Police in doing so, that this will be achieved."

No arrests have been made, and Police have appealed for anyone who can assist the investigation to call the Serious Crime Unit on 299-8106 or the confidential Crimestoppers hotline on 800-6477.

?More on this story in tomorrow’s Royal Gazette