A young man was shot multiple times near his Sandys home on Saturday, and remained in intensive care last night.

Nathan Darrell, 23, was gunned down around 2.15 a.m, just yards from the house he shares with his family in Kitchener Close.

He was in a stable condition at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital yesterday, having suffered multiple gunshot wounds to his body. A 31-year-old man from Sandys parish had been arrested.

Mr. Darrell plays as a striker for Ireland Rangers football team, and coach Duane DeRoza spoke last night of his shock.

"It's kind of disturbing what's going on. It keeps people like myself at home. From what I've heard they went to the front door to the house, ten feet from the front door," said Mr. DeRoza, who lives in the same neighbourhood.

He said of Mr. Darrell: "He keeps himself to himself. He can be pretty boisterous when he feels it's correct, like most of us. He gets on well with just about anyone. I can't really speak about his personal stuff outside of the team, I'm not familiar with that, but he gets on pretty well with everyone."

Mr. Darrell is the fourth person shot in Bermuda so far this year. Two young men have been injured one in Pembroke and one in Sandys and Perry Puckerin was shot dead at Hamilton Parish Workmen's Club on January 4.

Five people have been killed since January 2009 and 16 injured, amid a dramatic escalation in firearms incidents.

Mr. DeRoza said: "We're pretty shocked and amazed, wondering if this is ever going to stop. This has been going on for over a year now and it affects everyone, it keeps us all at home. The team is a nice tight-knit group who are all just a little bit stunned and amazed this could happen to someone so close."

He has not been able to visit Mr. Darrell, as only his immediate family have been permitted to see him in the I.C.U. He has heard conflicting reports of how many times he was shot.

The Police cordoned off Kitchener Close on Saturday while they combed the scene for evidence. According to neighbours, the shooting occurred in a parking area in front of the house, and detectives were seen hunting for bullet casings.

No-one answered the door at the victim's address yesterday afternoon, and nearby residents appeared to be in the dark about what happened, telling this newspaper they were asleep and heard nothing.

One elderly female neighbour said: "I'm very upset. Nothing like this ever happens here I've been here 20-odd years."

Governor Sir Richard Gozney said: "I fervently hope that the young man recovers, and that the local communities of the west end of the Island can help the Police to track down the perpetrators of what are now two attempted murders there this month."

The Police did not release Mr. Darrell's name when they issued an appeal for witnesses, and did not mention any possible motive.

A spokesman said: "An investigation into the matter is ongoing by officers from the Serious Crime Unit under the direction of Chief Inspector Nick Pedro and a 31-year-old Sandys parish man has been arrested in connection with the incident."

Minister of Labour, Home Affairs and Housing David Burch said he "wholeheartedly" supports the efforts of the Bermuda Police Service in bringing those responsible to justice. He encouraged anyone with information to cooperate with the Police.

• Anyone with information should contact the Serious Crime Unit on 299-8115 or Crime Stoppers Bermuda's confidential 24 hour hotline on 800-8477. Anonymous tips can be sent via their website at www.crimestoppers.bm.