Police have launched a murder hunt after a 25-year-old man was shot in the neck and killed.

He was named yesterday as Shaki Crockwell, a Bermuda Hogges player, from Hamilton Parish. It is understood the popular footballer was shot once in the neck on the Railway Trail near Loyal Hill, in Devonshire, just after 10 p.m. on Friday.

Police arrived on the scene around 10.22 p.m. to find him unresponsive and a doctor later pronounced him dead. Today the Railway Trail was still sealed off as Police continued their hunt for the murder.

Today Hogges coach Kyle Lightbourne said: “It’s very disappointing for anyone to loose a life in that way, my condolences go out to his family and close friends.

“It is just a real shame as he was an up and coming player. At 25 he was just starting to reach his prime and we would have seen a lot more from him. It has definitely been a loss for his Boulevard teammates as well.

“He was great to work with — I never had any problems with him. He was the life and soul and he liked the limelight.

“I didn’t know him off the football field but he will be missed by people who played with him.

“Hopefully a lesson has been learned from all of this for young people coming through sports to stay clear of any confrontations that may cause further damage to your life. I don’t know how this came about but something had to have happened for it to end like this.”

Acting Premier, Randy Horton, said last night: “Words cannot desribe how saddened and shocked I am to hear of Mr. Crockwell’s untimely death. Bermuda has not only lost another young, black man to senseless violence, but a family has been devestated by the loss of a father and son.

“Mr. Crockwell always had a desire to represent Bermuda as a member of the Bermuda Hogges and the national soccer team. When he did so, he did so well. Along with these teams, Mr. Crockwell will be missed by the Kings and especially the Boulevard Blazers for whom he played for many years. My deepest condolences go out to his family.”

Detectives from the Serious and Organised Crime Division have launched a probe and would like to speak to the person who placed an emergency call to 911 to report the incident.

Anyone with information into the death of the man is asked to call 295-0011 or they can call the confidential Crimestoppers hotline of 1 800 623 8477.

* See tomorrow's Royal Gazette for the full story, reaction and photos.