Shopkeepers in North Hamilton are growing increasingly troubled by the rise in gun violence on the streets of Pembroke.

Already, many say they have experienced a downturn in business and fear the latest shooting will deter even more customers.

The shooting of three men in Dundonald Street on Friday shows that those wielding firearms are becoming increasingly brazen, they said.

The incident took place at 11 p.m., less than an hour after the adjacent Place's Place bar closed. The area a hub of stores, bars and takeaway restaurants, was bustling with people unwinding after work on a Friday night.

Movie-goers were also leaving the nearby Liberty Theatre on the opening night of the Bermuda International Film Festival (BIFF).

Two men on a motorcycle however, mounted sidewalks in Court Street and Dundonald Street, firing 11 shots at a group of men in an alley next to Place's Place.

The drive-by shooting resulted in the death of James Lawes, 26, and injuries to two other men, Maurice Martin, 26, and Robin Stovell, 49.

Yesterday, the victim of a previous shooting in the area said the violence has affected him so badly, he has been forced to close his store C & R Discount.

Raymond Burgess, 68, was one of three men shot in Court Street on May 23 last year. He and his 31-year-old son Raymond Burgess Jr. were injured after a gunman burst into the store and opened fire.

On December 16, another shooting took place outside the store, with three rounds fired. Both incidents took place in the morning in daylight.

Now Mr. Burgess is closing down his business. Inside the store, most of his stock is gone. A sign near the entrance advertises the Bermuda Crime Stoppers number, saying: "'Stop the craziness! Before it stops you. Guns aren't cool. They kill."'

The shopkeeper said: "The shooting closed me down. Business just dropped off."

He did not want to talk about the latest shooting. "I can't even speak on that," said Mr. Burgess.

Meanwhile at Armstrong's Barber Shop, next to the alley where Friday's drive-by took place, employees said the violence was affecting trade.

"It is causing concern because it will take its toll on people coming to the area. They will be frightened for their livelihood," said barber Ed Armstrong.

"It's becoming more and more obvious there's no deterrent, that these guys are just doing what they want. The Police are doing what they can, but it's beyond that."

He said: "Business has dropped off, so we are concerned about it. It is giving the area a bad rap."

Another local shopkeeper, who did not wish to be named, said: "Business has decreased since the C&R owner and his son got shot. That really hit hard because people are afraid to go down Court Street now."

A 40-year-old businesswoman added: "Businesses around here are already trying to cope with the economy the way it is, without people being scared to come around here.

"It is putting a dampener on things. I don't know when it's going to stop, but it has to."