One man is dead and another is seriously injured after daylight shootings yesterday afternoon marred the start of Bermuda Day celebrations.

The men, believed to be in their 20s, were hit by bullets in St. Monica's Road, Pembroke, around 2.45 p.m. Shortly afterwards a separate gunfire incident was reported in Curving Avenue, also in Pembroke, where at least one bullet casing was recovered.

The King Edward VII Memorial Hospital was put into a state of alert with a Police cordon and restricted access as the shooting victims were taken there.

As of last night, Police said they had arrested two men in connection with the St. Monica's Road but had not charged them. The identities of the two shooting victims have not yet been released.

St. Monica's Road was heavily guarded by armed Police officers yesterday afternoon after the shootings were reported.

At least 12 officers — plain clothes, uniformed and a few in bullet proof vest — guarded both entrances to the road, which is called 42nd Street by the community.

According to witnesses further shots were also fired at nearby Curving Avenue, in the Middletown area, and Police recovered at least one casing at the scene. There were no reported injuries.

In the second incident witnesses said two men on a motorbike rode down Rambling Lane, off of Curving Avenue around 3 pm. Several shots were fired before the men sped off back down Curving Avenue. Witnesses also said they thought it was a reaction to the earlier shootings.

Premier Dr. Ewart Brown was saddened by the violence and said: "This is yet another sad day for us in Bermuda. We have experienced the murder of one young man allegedly by another — a horrible and unnecessary loss of life.

"I am appealing for calm in the community and will reach out to the Governor immediately. I shall implore him to implement the appropriate response to this recurring violence in our community."

Police spokesman Dwayne Caines confirmed the shootings and said: "At 2.45 pm the Bermuda Police responded to a report of gun shots. As a result, two men were taken to hospital."

The Royal Gazette understands the men were shot in the stomach and back.

Mr. Caines, who wore a bullet proof vest, also confirmed that some of the officers were armed and thanked the community members for their cooperation.

Officers were from the Emergency Response Team and Serious Crime Unit.

He said although the Police couldn't confirm any more information, "there are a lot more details to come".

"What we are trying to do is get as much preliminary information. There's nothing we have at this juncture", he added.

Asked if he thought the shooting was gang related, Mr. Caines said: "We have some idea what we believe to be the cause. Our goal is to cordon off the area to be safe."

Mr. Caines said Police do not know who reported the shootings but officers were at the scene within minutes.

He also said Police presence will be felt over the holiday weekend.

The shootings also saw restricted access to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, where the men were being treated for their injuries.

Only the family of the victims were being allowed inside yesterday evening.

Armed Police were guarding a barricade at the entrance to the ER department and the main entrance off Point Finger Road, allowing only family members or essential services through.

A hospital spokesperson said last night: "There is currently restricted access to the hospital following an incident in Hamilton.

"This has been put in place as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of our patients and staff. We are working closely with the Bermuda Police Service and further information about the incident should be referred to them."

Police are appealing for witnesses and anyone with information to call the Serious Crime Unit of 299 8115 or 295 0011.

Alternatively, they can call the confidential Crime Stoppers hotline on 1800 623 8477.