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Grim day as stabbing victim dies and another man is shot

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Steven Jireh Iris: Died after he was stabbed yesterday

A young man was fatally stabbed and another was shot as violent crime reared its ugly head again on a grim day for Bermuda.Steven Jireh Iris, 22, died after suffering what police described as “serious stab wounds to the abdomen” in the first incident yesterday morning in The Glebe Road in Devonshire.Less than a mile away and about 12 hours later, a 25-year-old man was shot at a residence in Alexandra Road, Devonshire. Police said today that he is listed in stable condition in the Intensive Care Unit at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.Shadow Home Affairs Minister Walter Roban today condemned the violence."I was shocked to hear the news of the two acts of violence and one resulting in a death in the Pembroke/Devonshire area yesterday," he said in a statement released this afternoon. "This area over the years has seen its share of violent incidences which is disheartening to the [residents] and families of The Glebe Road area as they struggle to make sure they live in a safe and peaceful community. As the parliamentary representative for this area I stand with the residents and condemn this senseless act of violence. This particular area has seen one violent act too many."The PLP MP sent the party's condolences to Mr Iris's family."Our thoughts and prayers are also with the family of the other young man who was shot at in the Alexandra Road, Devonshire area," he added. " We do hope for a speedy recovery from his injuries."All residents of Bermuda must be vigilant in the effort to combat and eliminate violent acts of all kinds as there are too many of our families still suffering from the negative effects of these incidents.We appeal to anyone who may have witnessed what happened to cooperate with the authorities in order to bring justice and closure for those who have been affected."Mr Iris's death is the fourth homicide this year, following the double shooting of Haile Outerbridge and Ricco Furbert in January and the fatal stabbing of Verneil Richardson in June.After suffering stab wounds Mr Iris was taken by private car to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital (KEMH), where he later succumbed to his injuries.A Police spokesman said yesterday afternoon a 22-year-old Devonshire man had been arrested, and was assisting police with their inquiries into the stabbing.“Circumstances surrounding the incident are unclear and the exact time of the incident is unknown but Police were alerted to the scene by a 911 call at around 9.20am on Friday,” said the spokesman.“Mr Iris was taken to the KEMH via private vehicle with serous stab wounds to the abdomen. Doctors worked unsuccessfully to save his life and he was pronounced dead at 4.40pm.”Police sealed off the road west of Northcliff Lane, and a home near the junction remained closed yesterday afternoon, and one motorist was detained at around 11am after he tried to drive through the scene. He was later arrested on suspicion of driving while impaired.A police spokesman said: “It's clear that there are individuals in the area that have seen something, and we are making a very strong appeal for anyone with information, no matter how insignificant, to come forward.”Police are urging anyone in the Glebe Road area who may have seen anything suspicious around 8.30am-9.30am, or anyone who may have been at KEMH around 9.20am-9.30am who would have witnessed a white Clio car, and males who walked into the emergency department with the victim, to contact Acting Detective Inspector Dennis Astwood on 247-1008, or the confidential Crimestoppers hotline on 800-8477.In November 2009, Mr Iris was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and being in possession of a metal chain and padlock during a 2008 fight near Five Star Island.Police responded to the shooting incident at around 9.40pm. They cordoned off an area of Alexandra Road and several officers were still working at the scene around midnight.Some residents were oustide but said they knew nothing about what had happened.Police are appealing for witnesses or anyone who man have seen someone acting suspiciously in the Alexandra Road area around 9.30pm to please contact police on 295-0011 or the confidential Crime Stoppers hotline on 800-8477.

Cordon: Police work the scene of a shooting on Alexandra Road in Devonshire last night. (Photo by Mark Tatem)
Crime scene: Police stand guard at a cordon on Glebe Road following yesterday's stabbing (Photo by Mark Tatem)