Joint Statement - At the weekly meeting held today, Monday May 23rd, 2011 between the Governor Sir Richard Gozney, the Minister of National Security the Hon. Wayne Perinchief, Senator Jonathan Smith and the senior command of the Bermuda Police Service a high level briefing took place highlighting the extensive preparation for policing tonight as well as for the May 24th Bermuda Day holiday. The briefing emphasized the measures put in place to deal with any potential trouble that may occur. The Acting Commissioner of Police Mike Jackman wishes to reassure the public that  the Bermuda Police Service will use all of its resources and powers to make the holiday period a safe one; there will be a high profile police presence throughout the island over the next 36 hours. In addition the Acting Commissioner is asking all members of the public to assist by reporting any suspicious activity they may encounter, no matter how insignificant it may seem at the time. The Acting Commissioner asks the public for their cooperation and support as there will be Section 315 F road checks in place over the holiday period.

Investigation Into Double Shooting

Around 12:30pm today police received a number of telephone calls regarding the sound of gun shots in the Palmetto Road area. A short time later police officers received information that two men attended the emergency area at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital suffering from suspected gunshot wounds. Police attended the hospital and can now confirm that both men received wounds which appear to have been inflicted by the use of a firearm and are being treated for non-life threatening injuries Police immediately commenced investigations into this attempted murder of a 48 year old man and a 39 year old man.

Initial information suggests that two men wearing dark clothing and riding on a dark colored scooter type motorcycle drove from the direction of Cedar Park (Old Military Road) onto Frog Lane, where they drove behind the two victims who were also traveling on a motorcycle. Both motorcycles traveled west along Palmetto Road when shots were fired at the victims from the suspects’ vehicle. A brief pursuit began and eventually the suspects’ vehicle drove on to Border Lane North towards Friswells Road making good their escape.

Both victims realized that they were injured and travelled to the King Edward VII Memorial hospital for treatment. Investigators are making an appeal to any persons who were in the areas of Old Military Road, Frog Lane, Palmetto Road or Roberts Avenue at around 12.30pm and saw the pursuit, suspects or suspects’ vehicle to immediately contact police. Alternatively any persons who have any information about this shooting incident, whether they believe it to be significant or not, are asked to contact police at telephone number 295-0011 or the confidential Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-8477.