Murder victim Steven Jireh Iris was fatally stabbed less than a week after being released from prison, The Royal Gazette has learned.Mr Iris had been sentenced in November 2009 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.His death on Friday morning, followed around 12 hours later by a shooting less than a mile away, has sparked renewed calls from the public for stronger action against violent crime.Mr Iris, 22, was stabbed outside of a home on The Glebe Road in Devonshire. He was driven in a private vehicle to the hospital suffering from “serious stab wounds” to his abdomen. Despite the efforts of doctors, he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at around 4.40pm.His murder is the fourth on the Island so far this year.Pembroke MP Michael Weeks said he was a friend of Mr Iris’ family, and was “disturbed greatly” by the news of his murder.“I have known the young man and his family for some time,” Mr Weeks said. “He went to school with my son at Clearwater. I have known him to be a good guy.“His father and I were and are good friends, and as a result I got to know Jireh. As he got older I kind of lost touch with him but without fail every time I saw his father or mother I would ask how he’s doing. I really cared for the young man.”Mr Weeks said he understands Mr Iris made mistakes as a teenager, and had spent time in prison as a result.“I’ve been made to understand that he was released on Wednesday and lost his life on Friday,” Mr Weeks said. “I have spoken to his father, and his family are having their challenges. It’s obviously a hard time for them right now.“My heart and my prayers go out to his family, and also the shooting victim and his family.”He said the recent outbreak of violence shows the Island must do more to combat crime, and he called on the public to do their part by speaking out.“We need to reach out to the community,” he said. “If you see something, say something because we all have to do our part if we are to get a handle on this violence affecting our youth.“It’s one thing to tell the police to do their job, it’s one thing to tell the church to do their part, but we have to get beyond pointing fingers. These crimes are happening in our community to our children, and from where I sit, by our children.”A Police spokesman said yesterday that a 22-year-old Devonshire man, arrested in connection to the murder on Friday, was still in custody.Meanwhile an overseas forensic pathologist has flown to the Island and completed an autopsy to determine the official cause of death. Mr Iris’ family have been notified of the results.Residents of The Glebe Road said yesterday they were shocked by the daylight stabbing.One resident, who asked not to be named, said: “It seems every time we think things are getting better, something like this happens.“Something needs to get done, because this violence isn’t going away on it’s own. It’s just going to get worse and more people are going to die. Young people.”Another resident said she felt not enough was being done about gang violence because it’s limited to black communities.“These things are going to keep on going until a white person gets killed,” she said. “That’s the truth. That’s when you’re going to see real action. When someone in Fairylands gets shot, that’s when people are going to do something. That’s when they’re going to start getting these guns.”Anyone who may have seen suspicious activity between 8.30am and 9.30am in The Glebe Road area, or who may have seen a white Clio car and men who walked into the emergency department with Steven Iris, please contact Acting Detective Inspector Dennis Astwood on 247-1008, or Crimestoppers at 800-8477.