One of the suspected gunmen in Friday night's cinema shooting is back on the streets today after being released on bail.
Police say a 28-year-old Pembroke man, arrested in the aftermath of the shooting outside Southside Cinema, has been bailed pending further inquiries but is still under investigation.
But they fear he has been "released into danger" with Superintendent Antoine Daniels warning that the spate of tit-for-tat gang attacks that have plagued the community in the last two weeks could continue.
An 18-year-old Devonshire man who was also arrested in connection with the shooting of Devonshire Cougars footballer Shaki Minors and CedarBridge schoolteacher Renee Kuchler, remains in police custody in connection with a different matter.
Ms Kuchler, 24, was in a stable condition in the Intensive Care Unit at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital yesterday.
Mr. Minors had been transferred to a general ward where he was also stable.
Supt. Daniels said police could not hold the two suspects in connection with the shooting until further investigations were completed.
He renewed calls for witnesses to the incident, which followed the late showing of the movie Precious at 11.30pm on Friday.
He said police were working on a theory that the three incidents, which have seen five people shot in the last fortnight, were linked.
And he said they were increasing their presence on the streets and targeting specific areas in a bid to prevent further bloodshed.
"It's not going to stop. That's why we are upping the ante in terms of high visibility policing, targeting prolific offenders and trying to get to them before they get to each other."
He said the shooting of a woman in the latest attack showed that innocent bystanders could get caught in the cross-fire.
"We don't think she was targeted at all, she just happened to be there," he added.
But he insisted Bermuda was still a safe place and police were making progress in targeting violent criminals.
"We have a small core group of gangs that continue to try to disrupt the peace and that's the group we are targeting."
He admitted that the man released last night could become a target himself if the pattern of reprisal attacks continued.
"He wanted to be released into danger, that is his choice," Supt. Daniels said.
Speaking about the series of shootings over the past few weeks, he added that one of the obstacles police faced in getting people to talk about gang-related incidents was the desire of the victims to mete out justice themselves.
Meanwhile, Sports and Environment minister Glenn Blakeney responded to reports that his son Jahmel was one of the two suspected shooters arrested in connection with the incident.
Mr. Blakeney called for justice to be served, no matter who was responsible.
He said: "Whoever is proven guilty for committing such a senseless, brutal and cowardly act, should face the full consequence of the law, once justice is done and seen to be done.
"Nonetheless, no matter who was arrested or who may be suspected, they are entitled to their day in court without there being a rush to judgment.
"However, of far greater importance and concern to me is the condition of the victims and my sincere hope that their families find the strength to be strong in supporting each other under such traumatic circumstances.
"No family deserves to be subjected to this sort of evil and I pray the victims experience a full and speedy recovery.
"I am saddened and devastated that these senseless acts of violence continue to plague our beloved island and I again appeal to those involved in these vengeful life threatening acts to cease warring among themselves.
"There are no winners, only losers that result from this reprehensible anti-social behaviour.
"Our young black men, our densely populated communities and indeed the entire country is better than this.
"So I beg of anyone that has any helpful information to cooperate with the police in solving this crime and bring the culprits whoever they might be to justice.
"Again, I express my heartfelt sympathy to the victims and their families."
Meanwhile, Devonshire Cougars assistant coach Gary Mallory said Mr. Minors and his 'ladyfriend' were in the prayers of everyone at the club.
He said he could only judge Mr. Minors, who has a son, from what he saw at the club - a hard working player, a good team mate and part of the Cougars 'family'.
"For the players and the coaching staff he is in our prayers.
"We love him like life and hope everything goes right for him and his girlfriend. We've got their back and we're hoping for a speedy recovery."
Craig Clarke, president of the club, said everyone there was concerned about Shaki and hoping he could make a full recovery and come back to the team.
"He's an integral part of Devonshire Rec team. He comes here to play football - he plays hard and he works hard for the team and we wish him a speedy recovery."
Miss Kuchler's father Leo Kuchler did not wish to comment.
Can you help? Detectives continue to appeal for any witnesses to the shooting to contact Acting Chief Inspector Michael Redfern at the Serious Crime Unit on 295-0011.
Officers are also keen to speak to anyone who may have been in the Southside area around 11:30pm Friday and saw anyone acting suspiciously.
Anyone with any information can call the confidential Crime Stoppers hotline on 800-8477 or submit an anonymous tip via the Crime Stoppers Bermuda website www.crimestoppers.bm.
Posted: Thursday, November 19, 2009
Comment by:
Simple
Instead of putting our newly recruited overseas police secondees in uniform to give speeding tickets they should be assigned to regular jobs in and around the areas (and 211 high priority offenders) so that evidence can be gained. After you gain the evidence, have these foreign undercover police return home after they have testified and secured the convictions of key members who lead the few "gangs" threatening our way of life and international reputation as a leading financial services jurisdiction. Surely this doesnt need the Governor's Approval or involvement. Have Col Burch personally issue each of the 20 work permits so only he and the Commissioner of Police know who the 20 undercover Officers are. This is an inexpensive initiative that will yield results.
