Twenty-four-year-old Dekimo "Purple" Martin was shot dead yesterday at his family home in Sandys.

Mr. Martin was recently released from jail where he was serving time for assaulting a woman, but those who knew him well say he was turning his life around.

They have questioned if his murder had to do with his criminal past before his stint in jail he had been in trouble with the law and hung around with a rough crowd.

When he was 18 he was charged with the attempted murder of Dennis Kent Simmons on July 15, 2004 in Pembroke. The trial was never pursued.

Mr. Martin was the first cousin of Kellan Lewis, who was found guilty last month of killing 18-year-old Kellon Hill at a beach party in August 2009. Lewis was sentenced to 12 years in jail.

Police said it was too early to say if Mr. Martin's murder was connected to his cousin's conviction or if it was connected to ongoing gang rivalry.

Shortly before one a.m. yesterday gunshots were heard and neighbours and family rushed to the apartment where Mr. Martin was staying on Peacock Crescent. He was found in a pool of blood on the steps outside his house. When they arrived he was drawing his last breaths.

"I heard pap pap pap," a neighbour said. "My sister, who lives on the other side of the building next to Kimo, said it sounded like "boom boom boom" to her because she was so close.

"He was shot in the back three times."

An ambulance was called as were Police. Mr. Martin was pronounced dead at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital at 1.45 a.m.

Mr. Martin's mother is still coming to terms with the death of her only son the neighbour said. He is survived by two sisters, aged 28 and 18.

According to his neighbour, since he was released from jail four months ago he was committed to turning his life around. He applied for jobs and attended Government workshops offering tips on getting hired.

"He was known as the peacemaker," she said. "If trouble started he was the one that would calm people down.

"He was not the type to go out and start trouble himself.

"He was telling me the other night how he met the Governor recently, he was really excited by that. He also had a meeting with [Member of Parliament] Dale Butler because he wanted to change his life."

The former CedarBridge Academy student enjoyed football and played for Wolves growing up.

"He liked to rap as well," the neighbour said. "And he liked cooking, he wanted to sign up for classes at the Bermuda College for that. He also liked to customise cars.

"He has gotten to know his two nephews since he has been out of jail, he has taken them for runs and lifted weights with them. He said he wanted to clean up his act.

"People called him 'Purple' because he liked the colour and he was known for his big smile and laugh."

His friend Kamal Gibbons told The Royal Gazette he grew up with Mr. Martin and considered him as a little brother.

"He was a cool guy," he said. "I spoke to him recently and he was trying to turn his life around. He had a hard life growing up and he was trying to change. He wanted to go back to school and was trying to do things differently.

"I have nothing but good things to say about Kimo. I spoke to his mother today, but what can you say? My condolences go out to the family."