Bermudian student Charles (Lyndon) Fubler was fighting for life in America last night after being blasted in the head by a crazed gunman.

Police believe the maniac opened fire in a jealous rage over ex-girlfriend Ms Sheila Kitchens.

Ms Kitchens and her 12-year-old brother were also gunned down by jilted Mark Lorenzo Squires -- described as a "bad number''.

Twenty-four-year-old Fubler, hailed as a talented soccer player, is now under intensive care at the Medical College of Georgia.

His parents have maintained almost a constant bedside vigil following an emergency operation. Last night, a hospital spokesman said the former Police cadet's condition was "critical.'' Yesterday, the Augusta College student's step-mother, Ms Veronica Fubler, said the next three days would be critical, according to doctors.

"The bullet touched the brain, and his vision may be affected,'' she said from her home off Cloverdale Road, Devonshire.

"He did, however, recognise his mother and father and two aunties who have gone out to see him.

"It was such a shock to hear the news. I am just hoping and praying he will be all right.'' Ms Kitchens, meanwhile, has been paralysed after being shot in the neck. She is also under intensive care at the Medical College of Georgia.

Her brother is in a coma at Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center, where his condition was described as "stable but critical''.

The triple shooting occurred at about 8.40 a.m. on Monday at Ms Kitchens' home in Pheasant Drive, Richmond County, Augusta.

Twenty-year-old Squires -- who had served a prison sentence for aggravated assault in Denver and recently transferred his parole to Georgia -- is now on the run.

Chief Deputy Ronald Strength, of Richmond County Sheriff's Department, said Police were trying to piece together the circumstances of the incident.

"Obviously we have not been able to interview the three victims yet, and are waiting for doctors to tell us when we can do so.

"We are basically still trying to finish this case, and we have run up against a few things which appear to be contradictory.'' Chief Deputy Strength said the shooting had a "domestic element'' to it.

"Evidently there were some problems between the suspect and Ms Kitchens. They had a past relationship.

"Fubler appears to have been a target because he is Ms Kitchens' new boyfriend.'' Ms Kitchens, also thought to be an Augusta College student, was shot in the neck after fighting with Squires in her front yard.

Squires then turned his 380 automatic on Ms Kitchens' 12-year-old brother, George, hitting him in the chest.

Mr. Fubler, who had arrived moments earlier to help take Ms Kitchens' four-year-old son to day care, was his third victim.

Chief Deputy Strength said Squires fled in his father's car, which deputies found abandoned on Monday afternoon.

The hunt for him has now spread to Los Angeles.

"He has very few ties in Richmond County, but has connections in Los Angeles.

He's a bad number and we're working with the FBI to find him,'' said Chief Deputy Strength.

Squires faces charges of aggravated assault with intent to kill, possession of a firearm while committing a crime, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Mr. Fubler is believed to have been at Augusta College studying physical education.

His step-mother said she was awaiting a report on his condition from his father.

"Last night I was told he was resting comfortably, and the surgery went well.

I'm expecting another call tonight.

"I don't yet know the circumstances of the incident.'' Ms Fubler described her step-son, the top scorer of Augusta College's Jaguar soccer team, as "a lovely person''.

"He is quiet, friendly, outgoing, and well liked. I believe he was in his final year at college and was coming back to Bermuda.'' Yesterday, Bermuda Police spokesman P.c. Gary Venning said Mr. Fubler had been in the local Force for two years.

"He was a cadet, joining the regular Force in April 1990, and working at Hamilton Police Station.

"He resigned in July 1991, and went abroad to school in Augusta.'' P.c. Venning added: "He was an active soccer player, who played in matches between various divisions within the Police.'' The young sportsman's grandfather is Pastor Charles Fubler, of the Church of God of Prophecy in Pembroke.

Yesterday, Pastor Fubler said he had been stunned to hear news of the shooting.

"I know he was shot in back of the head in Augusta. I heard about that from the boy's father, Charles Fubler Sr.

"He called last night to say his son is in the intensive care unit and is resting comfortable.'' Pastor Fubler said his grandson was an only child, and his mother, Mrs.

Eleanor Joell, of Friswell's Hill, Devonshire, had separated from her husband.

"My grandson has one-half brother who's away in school.'' FIGHTING FOR HIS LIFE -- Bermudian student Charles (Lyndon) Fubler who was blasted in the head by a crazed gunman in Augusta, Georgia.