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Politicians express their condolences after shooting

Wayne Perinchief

Shock and sadness echoed across the political spectrum yesterday after a disabled man was murdered aboard a party minibus.Lorenzo Stovell, 24, was killed when a gunman opened fire on the vehicle while it was parked in a layby near Woody’s Bar in Sandys [see main story].He was already partially paralysed after being shot at a nightclub on a previous occasion.Leading the reaction to the killing, Minister of National Security Wayne Perinchief called it a “senseless loss of life,” adding: “My first thoughts are for Mr Stovell’s family and friends who are today coming to terms with such a sudden and tragic loss.”He urged members of the community to remember the family in their thoughts and prayers.The Minister met Commissioner of Police Michael DeSilva and Governor George Fergusson yesterday to discuss the crime.“[The] meeting with the Governor and the police senior command served to assure me that although in its early stages, the investigation is pursuing all avenues,” he said.Mr Fergusson said: “I am shocked and very saddened by yet another pointless death of a young man as a result of violence. I send my deep condolences to his family.”Leader of the Opposition, Craig Cannonier, said: “An event like this touches us all. Parents have lost a child and Bermuda has lost a son.“I do not believe that our young men wish to live this way. It is evident that we are dealing with misdirected energy and there are no winners here, this is all loss.“My condolences go out to the family. My thoughts and prayers are with you.”A spokesman for the Progressive Labour Party said: “The PLP is saddened by this latest shooting.”He added: “We are outraged by this violence. We stand strong with our community demanding that the perpetrators of this disgusting crime be brought to swift and immediate justice.”Michael Scott, the MP for Constituency 36, where the shooting happened, sent his sympathy to the family of Mr Stovell.Charlie Swan and Kim Swan, who were elected under the banner of the United Bermuda Party, said: “We offer our condolences to the family of the victim and lend our voice of outrage at this latest murder. Another family mourns, one too many, while the questions beg: who is next? When and why? The mindset that is leading persons to commit cold bloodied murder in Bermuda is well beyond deplorable. Law abiding Bermudians are disgusted at this behaviour in our country and equally as frustrated as it is evident that each murder diminishes our quality of life in Bermuda. “All the political representatives urged anyone with information to call the Serious Crime Unit on 247-1739 or CrimeStoppers anonymously on 800-8477.