in front of two Policemen who had tried to stop him.

The officers rushed to the 38-year-old man's home off Middle Road in Pembroke after getting a report at about 4 p.m. that someone was threatening to commit suicide at that address, Police spokesman Sgt. John Dale said.

However, the officers failed to stop him from pulling the trigger of a handgun he was holding to his head, Sgt. Dale said.

It is understood the suicide victim is Mr. Richard Hebberd, the son of Englishman Mr. Douglas Hebberd who was granted Bermuda status several years ago. Police have refused to release his name until today.

The entrance to Mr. Hebberd's First Avenue home was blocked while an ambulance took him to hospital and detectives investigated further. He died during surgery at about 5.30 p.m., Sgt. Dale said.

Neighbour Mr. Murrey Brigley said he heard a "loud, angry male's voice'' coming from Mr. Hebberd's house at about the time of the shooting. He said he did not hear any other voices.

Mr. Brigley said he heard what sounded like two shots coming from the house.

Sgt. Dale said only one of the bullets hit the man. He added there had been no one else in the house at the time besides the Police.

He said the man, left behind a wife and two children.

Mr. Hebberd was a self-employed welder. One welder who had known him since they were in the Bermuda Regiment together said yesterday he had no idea why he would commit suicide.

"He was a pretty run-of-the-mill type of guy,'' Mr. Fred Paynter said. "I can't believe it.'' Sgt. Dale said the handgun used in the suicide had been seized by Police.

He stressed firearms are illegal in Bermuda, unless they are for target shooting, and the owner has licence and is a member of a bona fide gun club.

At one time firearms were banned on the Island altogether. Owners of firearms had been ordered to turn them in following 1973's Firearms Surrender Order triggered by the Government House murders.