Police yesterday repeated their call for witnesses to the Christmas shootings to come forward before the gunmen strike again.

Superintendent Randy Liverpool told a press conference that whoever killed Aquil Richardson — and whoever left Jakai Harford and Levar Smith with gunshot wounds — may feel at ease because they have not been caught.

"Those people who have perpetrated these types of crimes are still in the community and, if they have a level of ease that they are not being brought to justice, then they are likely to commit further offences," said Supt. Liverpool.

"That's one of our concerns. That's why it's so important members of the community come forward and bring information to the Police — to bring these perpetrators to justice."

Supt. Liverpool added that innocent bystanders — possibly friends or relatives of eyewitnesses currently withholding evidence — could turn out to be the next gun victims.

Mr. Richardson, 30, was shot dead at about 9 p.m. on Boxing Day in Camp Hill, Southampton. In the same incident, 25-year-old Mr. Smith was shot in the legs.

In the early hours of Christmas Day, Mr. Harford, 24, was shot in the shoulder, also in Camp Hill. Mr. Smith and Mr. Harford were treated for their injuries at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital. The shootings are widely believed to be gang-related.

More than 100 witness statements have now been recorded, with six people currently on Police bail in connection with the shootings.

Police Commissioner George Jackson has previously said he knows which criminals should be tried for the murders of Mr. Richardson and fellow shooting victims Shaundae Jones and Jason Lightbourne.

Yesterday, Supt. Liverpool said he was "pretty much optimistic" that at least one of the Christmas gunmen would be brought to justice.

Asked how optimistic he was about the other unsolved murders of recent years, Supt. Liverpool said some progress had been made in Police inquiries but would not be pushed further.

New head of the Serious Crime Unit, Chief Inspector Antoine Daniels, said: "As the officer directly responsible for leading these inquiries, I would like to use this opportunity to thank all of those persons who have come forward and assisted officers in their pursuit of the perpetrators responsible for committing these violent and unnecessary acts.

"Although the Bermuda Police Service is pleased with the cooperation of the community so far, we would like to make a further appeal encouraging those individuals with relevant information about the Christmas (Day) and/or Boxing Day shootings, particularly eyewitnesses to these events, to contact Police.

"The reality of the situation is that we as a community are all in far more danger if witnesses continue to remain silent.

"If Bermuda's citizens are serious about a fight against crime, and in particular violent crime, let us stand tall together in an effort to eradicate these types of unacceptable behaviours which if allowed to continue threaten to destroy our Island."

Regarding talk of the gang-related nature of the shootings, Chief Insp. Daniels said: "I have been hearing whispers regarding the victims of the recent shootings, as well as those occurring previously, being associated with a certain lifestyle.

"In response to that, the BPS does not make judgments of anyone and treats every case with the same high level of seriousness and professionalism."

Witnesses should call 299-4315 or the confidential Crime Stoppers hotline on 1-800-623-8477.