Police are today hunting the killer of a 25-year-old national footballer who was shot in the neck and killed on the Railway Trail in Devonshire.

Officers found Shaki Eugene Crockwell — a former Bermuda Hogges and national football team player — in an unresponsive state when they arrived at the railway trial near Loyal Hill at 10.22 p.m. on Friday.

An unknown person had called them minutes earlier to report the incident but failed to provide their name and no one was at the scene of the crime when Police arrived. Mr. Crockwell was pronounced dead within minutes of Police arriving.

The Royal Gazette understands that the footballer was wearing a bullet proof vest at the time, but was fatally shot in the neck.

Sources also revealed that he had been involved in a machete attack in early August. Police would not confirm any of the details and said a news conference on the shooting would take place later today.

But Police did say that "foul play was suspected" in the death and urged anyone with information to call the Serious Crime Unit at 299-4239 of the confidential crimestoppers hotline at 1800-623-8477. They are particularly interested in speaking with the person who called 911 and anyone who spoke with Mr. Crockwell in the days leading up to his death.

Mr. Crockwell was well known in the sports world and was described as an 'incredible' striker. He was Captain of Boulevard and a member of the Bermuda Hogges team as well as the national team.

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."

He added that Mr. Crockwell left the Bermuda Hogges because he was frustrated once he realised that he would not be able to travel with the team due to being on the US stop list.

In 2003 he pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm to an off-duty prison officer, the conviction prevented him from travelling to or through the US.

Bermuda Football Association President Larry Mussenden also offered his condolences to the Crockwell family, his friends and the Boulevard Blazers family.

"He played with commitment, dedication and loved the game," Mr. Mussenden said. "We call on all members of Bermuda's football community to show strength during this tragic time and during the period of bereavement

<*t(0,0," ")>"Football was the rock and foundation of his life and he has been taken away from us, perhaps we will never understand it, but he should have had many more years playing." <*p(0,12,0,11,0,0,g)><*t(0,0," ")>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.<*t(0,0," ")>"Mr. Crockwell always had a desire to represent Bermuda as a member of the Bermuda Hogges and the national soccer team.<*t(0,0," ")>"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."<*t(0,0," ")>It is believed that Mr. Crockwell is survived by two children, one aged nine, and a new-born.<*t(0,0," ")> Police are urging anyone with any information to contact them.