Superintendent Antoine Daniels - The Bermuda Police Service wish to provide a brief update regarding the status of the investigations into the recent shootings that have plagued our island in recent weeks. Acting Detective Chief Inspector Calvin Smith is heading these investigations and is currently being assisted by a number of detectives. Obviously the top priority for the Bermuda Police Service remains catching and convicting the persons responsible and reducing the violence within the community.

As we approach the end of 2009, police records indicate that 17 people have been injured so far this year and tragically four of them fatally.

Unfortunately in yesterday’s (Thursday’s) fatal shooting, the victim was left unattended for several hours before police were contacted, although gunshots were clearly heard by area residents.

This is the type of reckless and non-caring behavior that the Bermuda Police Service has consistently attempted to address during various interviews with the press using both electronic and print media.

I will repeat today to ensure that residents are extremely clear on the message the Bermuda Police Service is trying to convey - and this is not to increase fear within the community or imply that officers will not continue to play a prominent role in their fight against violent crime and anti-social behavior, but instead to express some real concerns.

We can all come together and make a concerted effort to arrest this behavior and events, or sit back and take the risk of gunfire coming to a place near you.

The Bermuda Police Service is also aware of text messages circulating locally suggesting that there may be a firearm related incident tonight (Friday) in the western parishes and adequate resources have been put in place in an attempt to reduce the likelihood of any such event.

2009 Firearm Reports - To date, there have been a total of 70 recorded incidents involving firearms. Of these reports 27 have been confirmed either by the recovery of bullets (7), recovery of firearms (4), physical injury or damage (16), and arrests with the recovery of firearms (2).

Acting Detective Chief Inspector Calvin Smith - Suspects have been arrested in connection with the murders of 22 year old Gary Cann and 30 year old Kumi Harford, as well as the shooting incident resulting in injury to Shaki Minors & Renee Kuchler and the Court Street incident where there were no reported injuries. However, no arrests have been made in connection with Thursday’s murder of Shane Minors. Inquiries into these and the other recent shootings are ongoing. Forensic evidence has been collected, most of which has already been sent overseas for analysis. The Bermuda Police Service is awaiting the results and has made requests to expedite the process.

In an effort to encourage members of the public who may have relevant information about Wednesday morning’s shooting on Court Street to provide any details to investigators, the Bermuda Police Service released CCTV footage of the incident to the local media today.

There were a large number of potential witnesses in and around Court Street that morning who might have information that will be valuable to investigators. Anyone who witnessed the incident or saw two men dressed in dark clothing approaching or leaving the area on a motorcycle around 10:30am Wednesday is encouraged to contact Police or Crime Stoppers Bermuda.

Police are continuing to appeal for any witnesses to the recent shooting incidents or anyone with any information to contact Acting Detective Chief Inspector Calvin Smith at the Serious Crime Unit on 299-8115. Also, anyone with any information about these shootings is encouraged to call the confidential Crime Stoppers Bermuda hotline on 800-8477 or send an anonymous tip via the Crime Stoppers Bermuda website at www.crimestoppers.bm.