Superintendent James Howard - On behalf of the Bermuda Police Service, I wish to convey my sincere condolences to the family and friends of 21 year old Mr. Verneil Richardson who sadly lost his life early this morning. 

Mr. Richardson was on the property of the Bailey’s Bay Cricket Club in Hamilton Parish where a function was being held. He was involved in an altercation and stabbed. He eventually succumbed to his injuries.

The Bermuda Police Service recognizes the impact this incident will have on this community. I want to reassure you that we are using all the resources at our disposal to bring the offender or offenders to justice.

I would also encourage anyone with information or knowledge of this incident to make contact with the detectives in this case, or Crime Stoppers. Anyone who may have seen or been in contact with Mr. Richardson over the last 24 hours is also asked to make contact with the officers in the case.

I now hand over to Detective Chief Inspector Pedro for him to provide an update on the investigation.

Detective Chief Inspector Nicholas Pedro - At about 1:20am on Wednesday 26th June 2013, the Bermuda Police Service received reports of an assault that had occurred at the Bailey’s Bay Cricket Club in Hamilton Parish.

Emergency Medical Technicians from the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital and police officers attended the scene where they found the victim in this case suffering from puncture wounds. He was given medical assistance but later succumbed to his injuries.

I can confirm that the victim in this matter is Mr. Verneil Richardson, a twenty one year old male from Hamilton Parish.

A full complement of detectives from the Bermuda Police Serious Crimes Unit is investigating this incident, and it is being considered as a case of murder.

Forensic crime scene examiners & detectives continue their examination of the evidence gathered from the scene, speaking with witnesses and reviewing CCTV footage.

As I mentioned earlier this morning, we recognize that members of the public were inconvenienced whilst officers conducted their lawful duties at the crime scene, but we consider the integrity of a crime scene to be of paramount importance. However, I also recognize that some of these same people that were inconvenienced may have witnessed this fatal event, and can assist in bringing the offender or offenders to justice.

In addition, I can confirm that a person of interest has since turned himself in and is now in police custody assisting with enquiries as the murder investigation continues.

I am appealing for anyone that saw this incident or can provide information that can assist in identifying and bringing the offender or offenders to justice, to contact detectives from the Serious Crime Unit.

The Serious Crime Unit can be contacted on 247-1739 & 247-1340. Alternatively anyone with information regarding the murder of Mr. Verneil Richardson should contact the confidential & independent Crime Stoppers hotline 800-8477 (TIPS).