Forensic evidence gathered on St. Monica's Road after this weekend's fatal shooting could be linked to other crimes on the Island.

Kumi Harford was murdered early Saturday morning in the area colloquially known as 42nd Street.

Police say the killing represents an "escalation in the level of violence" on the Island.

Numerous gun casings were found around the blue Mazda Mr. Harford was driving alone at 5 a.m.

Assistant Commissioner Paul Wright said officers are working "flat out" to apprehend the person or people involved in what appears was a gang-related incident.

Superintendent Antoine Daniels said: "The [overseas] experts have provided some specific evidence and we hope this will help us get closure on this case, and a number of other crimes with this forensic evidence."

Police would not comment on how many times he was shot, nor would they say where in the body he was shot.

No arrests have been made. Yesterday, the family declined to speak about their loss.

There have been nine separate shooting incidents on the Island since May 22.

Mr. Harford was the second person killed and the 14th person shot.

It is not the first time the Harford family has suffered as a result of Bermuda's gun violence.

Mr. Harford's brother Jakai was shot in the shoulder in the Camp Hill area of Southampton on Boxing Day 2008.

A crime scene examiner and a forensic pathologist, both from the United States, are assisting in the most recent crime.

"The investigation into the fatal shooting is ongoing," said Supt. Daniels at a press conference yesterday. "There are two investigation teams under the leadership of Acting Detective Chief Inspector Michael Redfern and Detective Inspector Calvin Smith.

"Currently there are no persons in Police custody but the investigation teams are following up on a number of lines of inquiry."

Ongoing gun violence was the Bermuda Police Service's (BPS) top priority, Assitant Commissioner Paul Wright said.

"But gun crime statistics and concerns about whether or not it is all the result of inter-gang violence do not adequately convey the human tragedy and the impact that the callous actions of a few violent offenders have on the community as a whole. Mr. Harford was a young man cut down in the prime of his life. He was a husband, a father, a son, a brother and a friend to his family and loved ones.

"The escalation of gun crime reduces the safety of our community and raises the fear of crime. We are confronted by a small number of violent criminals who are determined to attack each other with an absolute disregard for the safety of others that might be placed in danger. The top priority for the (BPS) remains catching and convicting the persons responsible and reducing the violence."

He pointed out Police could not be everywhere at once but were doing their best to monitor known trouble spots.

"Officers were actually in the neighbourhood of St. Monica's Mission Road at the time," he said. "[Across the Island that night] we made ten arrests for drugs, robbery, assaulting Police, threatening to shoot Police, warrants and robbery. There were also 41 stop searches made — including at St. Monica's Road, one an hour before the shooting."

He added that Operation Safer Streets began this year and has seen great effect: arrests were up almost 60 percent over last year, drug enforcement activity was up nearly 40 percent and serious assaults have fallen by 28 percent.

BPS will also be getting further assistance on how to tackle the gang problem from the US Federal Bureau of Investigation. The FBI's Safe Streets Gang Unit will review Bermuda's plans and other gang analysis products from the Police Service's Intelligence Division with a view to making improvements. They will also conduct training workshops on Island.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the shooting. They area also asking anyone who saw Mr. Harford on Friday night to contact Acting Chief Inspector Michael Redfern or Detective Inspector Calvin Smith on 295-0011 with any information they have, no matter how insignificant it seems.

Persons may also call the confidential Crime Stoppers Bermuda hotline on 800-8477 or visit the Crime Stoppers Bermuda website, www.crimestoppers.bm, and leave an E-mail.