Forty-seven-year-old Raymond Troy “Yankee” Rawlins was fatally shot in the Spinning Wheel nightclub this morning — shortly after another shooting at the Mid Atlantic Boat Club in Devonshire.

Hours after his death, friends and family gathered across from C&R Discount Store owned by Mr. Rawlins’ father, Raymond Burgess, on Court Street, Hamilton.

Family members said Mr. Rawlins had been shot nine times while sitting inside the nightclub, also on Court Street, at approximately 12.30 a.m. Witnesses said he was bundled into a private car and rushed to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital (KEMH) where he was pronounced dead at 1.08 a.m. He leaves behind eight children.

Late last year Mr. Rawlins was shot at, but not hit, outside C&R Discount Store. Anthony Swan, 21, has been charged with the attack.

Police are now investigating today’s shootings.

At the murder scene earlier this morning Assistant Police Commissioner David Mirfield told The Royal Gazette: “We are not directly linking the two incidents at the moment but we have got to keep an open mind that they could be linked.”

He confirmed that the two shootings appeared to be gang-related and said forensics officers were scouring both scenes for evidence.

A 21-year-old man was injured in the earlier shooting — just after midnight — at the Boat Club on North Shore Road. He is being treated at KEMH.

Police have yet to name Mr. Rawlins as today’s murder victim but have said a man died as a result of multiple gunshot wounds received at the Spinning Wheel.

Mr. Mirfield, speaking at 2.40 a.m. today, said the club owners and witnesses were being questioned.

“A number of officers have been recalled to duty. There will be a significant Police presence in and around this area for the foreseeable future.”

The Assistant Commissioner said the Mid Atlantic Boat Club had also been cordoned off by Police. He was not aware of any weapons being recovered at either scene.

Later this morning, Police issued a statement which said: “The victim was shot multiple times inside the club. He was taken to [KEMH] where he succumbed to his injuries a short time later. No further information will be given until next of kin have been notified.

“There were people in the Spinning Wheel nightclub at the time of the incident and some of those individuals have come forward to assist officers with their inquiries.

“Investigators are also analysing CCTV footage of the area. The scene has been cordoned off and is being forensically examined for evidence.”

Any witnesses or anyone with any information is encouraged to contact the Serious Crime Unit on 299-8115 or the independent confidential Crime Stoppers Bermuda hot line on 800-8477.