A Pembroke man was arrested yesterday in connection with the murder of well-known gang affiliate Raymond Troy (Yankee) Rawlins.

Mr. Rawlins, 47, was shot nine times in Spinning Wheel nightclub on Court Street at approximately 12.30 a.m. yesterday. Police have urged calm in the wake of his murder, which they believe to be gang related.

Detective Chief Inspector Nicholas Pedro, who is in charge of the investigation, said: "An initial account of the incident is that two men pulled up outside The Spinning Wheel nightclub in a light green car and ran across Court Street into Spinning Wheel, right behind Mr. Rawlins who had just entered the club. They opened fire on the victim and made attempts to conceal their identity before fleeing the scene by car."

He added: "CCTV and other forensic evidence are being examined by detectives.

"Police have recovered the car believed to have been used by the suspects. The vehicle has been impounded and forensically processed.

"Police have also arrested a 31-year-old man in connection with the murder of Mr. Rawlins. He is currently in custody assisting with inquiries."

Assistant Commissioner of Police David Mirfield added: "So far this year there has been a total of seven murders, all of which have involved firearms and all of which are arguably related to gang activity.

"There have also been 16 injury shootings and again, they are all in some way connected to gangs.

"Gun crime in whatever form disables communities and at present communities in Bermuda are feeling vulnerable and scared. We have a small minority of unprincipled individuals who believe that the only way of resolving a dispute is with the use of firearms."

Mr. Mirfield appealed for everyone to remain calm, as he did on Friday after Prince Barrington Edness was shot on Elliot Street.

""I would also once again appeal for calm; resolving disputes with violence can never be the right path," he said. "Disputes can be resolved with mediation; we can facilitate that by providing support."

And he agreed that Police were concerned about retaliations in the wake of the shooting of Parkside affiliate Mr. Rawlings.

Six years ago Mr. Rawlings told The Royal Gazette he was a member of Frontline Crew. This paper understands he has recently been affiliated with the Parkside gang, who has been involved in a rivalry with 42nd Street.

The rivalry has been the cause of many, though not all, of the shootings over the last two years. Since May 2009 42 people have been shot, 11 of who have died.

Throughout the day emotions ran high as friends and family gathered across from Mr. Rawlins' family store C&R Discount on Court Street

Shortly after the Police press conference a man was arrested after mourners got into a row with Police officers.

In a press release last night Acting Minister of Public Safety Walter Roban said: "This has regretfully raised the level of fear in the community and we are all horrified that a life has once again been lost. I appeal for calm in the community and for those who may have any information on these incidents to contact Police or the confidential Crime Stoppers number.

"We must all work together to end this cycle of violence. As a community we must come together for the common good of all residents on this Island and put a stop to the senseless violence that has now taken the lives of seven people this year."

Shadow Minister for Public Safety, Michael Dunkley, said his party still believed Operation Cease Fire, which uses a carrot and stick approach to weaning people off gang life was Bermuda's best option.

"We appreciate the work of the Police," he said. "They appear to be gaining strength on the streets and building their capabilities to deal with gang violence. But tougher sentences and more effective policing alone will not get the job done.

"Without a comprehensive plan that brings to bear the moral strength of the community on the issues of guns, gangs and drugs, what is going on around us will continue.

"Operation Ceasefire brings to bear the strong arm of the police on gangs while offering their members an out through the compassionate and ongoing support of the community."

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.