Amid the red and black graffiti paying tribute to slain Shaki Crockwell, one word said it all - why?

The 25-year-old was gunned down on Friday with a single bullet wound to the back of the neck. Police discovered his body in a pool of blood on a remote stretch of the Railway Trail.

At the time of his death Mr. Crockwell was unarmed but wore a bulletproof vest, suggesting that in his final days he feared a violent attempt on his life.

Yesterday, detectives could not rule on a motive and refused to comment whether his murder was related to an alleged assault with a machete earlier this month. Mr. Crockwell was due to appear in Magistrates' Court yesterday on charges of grievous bodily harm and possession of a bladed weapon.

His father Danny Crockwell last night hit out at the machete allegations, saying his son was putting his difficult times behind him. His lawyer Charles Richardson said he had denied the charges.

Speaking at a press conference, Detective Superintendent Randy Liverpool said: "At this point in this inquiry we cannot connect his death to any appearance in court."

Police added that rumours of gang or drug-related activity were "speculation". "We do not have information to that effect. We cannot speculate and will pursue all lines of inquiry," said Police Commissioner George Jackson.

The press conference can be viewed at the Gazette Video link at www.theroyalgazette.com As a former striker for the national team, the Bermuda Hogges, and captain of the Boulevard Blazers, Mr. Crockwell was renowned for his talents on the football pitch.

Yesterday the Crockwell family home in Middletown was surrounded by graffiti emblazoned on the roads and walls of buildings. The tributes said 'RIP Shak', 'Blaze' and 'Stay hard and kick it', but also featured the 'Superman' sign - Mr. Crockwell's symbol after his goal-scoring victory practice of pulling up his shirt and running around the pitch, arms extended.

Among the messages from family and friends were the words 'One Shaq, gone in body, here in spirit, always in our hearts' - testament to the outpouring of respect and affection in his neighbourhood.

Police Commissioner Jackson said yesterday: "On behalf of the Bermuda Police Service I would like to express our condolences to the family of Shaki Crockwell in light of their recent loss. Another young Bermudian has been murdered in what appears to be part of the growing prevalence of growing violence in our community."

Det. Supt. Liverpool of the Serious and Organised Crime Division outlined the facts behind the killing, saying: "At approximately 10.23 p.m. on the evening of August 24, Police received a 911 call from a member of the public notifying us that a body was lying on the Railway Trail at the Loyal Hill area of Devonshire.

"Within minutes Police responded to that call and discovered the body of Shaki Eugene Crockwell, 25-years-old, from Hamilton Parish, lying in an unresponsive state in a pool of blood.

"At that time it was noted that Mr. Crockwell was wearing a protective vest of some sort. He was ruled dead by a doctor shortly thereafter. Several lines of inquiry are being pursued at this moment," he said. "At this time we would like to appeal to anyone who has been in contact with the deceased during the days leading up to his untimely death, and especially anyone to whom he might have expressed some kind of concern for his safety, taking into consideration at the time the body was found he was wearing some sort of protective vest."

Police are particularly anxious to trace the 911 caller who alerted them to Mr. Crockwell's body. "We are very keen to speak to that person and ask that he comes forward to speak to us," said Det. Supt. Liverpool. They also want to hear from anyone who was in the Loyal Hill area between 8.35 p.m. and 10.30 p.m. on Friday. "We would like to appeal to anyone with any information of any vehicle seen going into or leaving that area during that time," said Det. Supt. Liverpool.

"I would like to thank the members of the community who have assisted us so far. We've had several people who've cooperated with the Police and provided information. We have a few lines of inquiry and they will be pursued with tenacity until we can identify who is the perpetrator of this heinous crime."

Police Commissioner Jackson said: "It is important for members of the community to take an active role in assisting the Police, bearing in mind we can only act on matters with their assistance. Witnesses need to do their civic duty and come forward so this level of violence in our community can be arrested."

Last night Mr. Crockwell's father Danny said: "I'm still shaken up, it's like a dream and I haven't woken up yet. Twenty-five years I had him and it's just gone like that."

Shawn Crockwell, United Bermuda Party chairman who is a second cousin to Shaki, said: "We were quite close. He was a fun guy and was the love of his father's life.

"The underlying issue here is the growing trend of violent crime in Bermuda and use of firearms. What we have to do now is ensure that his loss isn't in vain and that we can use it in some way to resolve conflicts without the use of violence."

Anglican Bishop of Bermuda the Rt. Revd. Ewen Ratteray said: "I am deeply shocked and saddened by the death of this young man. And I assure his family and friends of my prayers for them at this sad time. Those who know about this and other similar incidents know what they ought to do, that is, have the courage to speak. Concerted efforts need to be made to eliminate guns from our society. The community has to make it clear by all means possible that it abhors such violence and will not tolerate it any longer."

Mr. Crockwell, who lived in Hamilton Parish, was wearing jeans and a green hooded top at the time of his death. Anyone with information is urged to call the Police on 299 4239 or the anonymous Crimestoppers hotline on 1 800 623 8477.