A 19-year-old man was shot in broad daylight yesterday afternoon in Somerset.

The teenager, who has not been named by Police, was hit as he rode past the Maximart supermarket on a motorcycle.

He was taken to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital and treated for injuries not thought to be life-threatening. The young man's condition was described as "fairly stable" late last night.

Police officers were stationed inside and outside the emergency room after the patient was brought in and a hospital spokeswoman told The Royal Gazette at 5.15 p.m.: "The ER is on lockdown."

The victim is believed to be from Sandys and was said by locals to hang out in the White Hill area.

He was shot on Middle Road, in Sandys, at the junction with Woodlawn Road at about 3.45 p.m.

Police cordoned off a section of Middle Road while crime scene investigators combed the roadside for bullet casings.

Traffic was delayed as motorists were diverted to the Railway Trail from George's Bay Road. Buses going to and from the West End — packed with tourists and residents — were forced to wait out the search.

Junior Tourism and Transport Minister Marc Bean lives in the neighbourhood and was at the scene. He said the traffic delays were an inconvenience to many but "paled in comparison to what we are really facing in terms of this self-destructive behaviour and fratricidal mentality".

Senator Bean said: "I ask for those within my community to cooperate with the Police in their investigation. And we must be reminded as a community to do more and say less in terms of reaching people who desire an alternative way of life.

"On the other hand, we cannot escape the truth that our decisions determine our destiny. So for those who seek to be a gunman by choice, it is the Police and the judiciary that the people must assist in maintaining law and order. I pray for the young man's full recovery."

Seven men have been shot dead so far in 2010 and at least 19 people injured. A number of attacks have happened in the West End, including the murders of Dekimo Martin and Fredrick Maybury and attempted murder of Randolph Lightbourne.

One resident, who would not give her name, said yesterday: "I am concerned. I have lived around here my whole life and I have never had as many incidents as this happen."

Another resident said the violence in the area affected not only her family but many others in the area.

"Every time something like this happens it resonates very deeply because my son has been stabbed here, my son has been shot in the back in England.

"Many people have a connection with some member of the family and are close to someone that has been a victim, so every time something like this happens it affects everybody else that relives it over and over again."

A resident who waited 45 minutes to get home told this newspaper: "I wasn't expecting it today. It is something you never get used to. I do not anyway.

"I am a bit worried. I mean this happens all over the world. Bermuda is catching up. It has been a long time coming."

Police responded to a report of a confirmed firearm incident at about 3.45 p.m, according to Chief Inspector Tracy Adams.

"We can confirm that a 19-year-old man has been shot," he said. "He has been taken to King Edward Memorial Hospital where he is being treated for his injuries. The investigation is ongoing."

A Police spokesman later added: "It appears that a man travelling on a cycle in the aforementioned area was shot."

He could not give details of injuries sustained by the victim, say how many times he was shot or comment on why the hospital emergency room was put on lockdown.

• Police are asking for witnesses or anyone who saw people acting suspiciously in the area to call them on 295-0011 or on the confidential Crime Stoppers hot line on 800-8477.