A murder investigation has been launched after a 53-year-old man was shot dead in Devonshire last night.

According to police, Mary Victoria Road residents raised the alarm shortly after 7.45pm upon hearing gunshots.

The victim of the shooting, who has not been identified, was discovered lying unresponsive in the middle of the road, having been shot several times.

Emergency medical technicians administered treatment before the injured man was taken to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital. However, he later died from his wounds.

Confirming the death, Acting Detective Inspector Derricka Burns, of the serious crimes unit, said the victim was not known to police.

Ms Burns said: “The victim was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. Sadly he passed away. This is another sad and unfortunate death in Bermuda.

“Tonight’s tragic incident means yet another family is left to mourn the passing of their loved one as a result of senseless violence.”

“This is a heavily populated neighbourhood and we are appealing to residents who may have seen any suspicious activity or persons in the area prior to or shortly after the incident, or who may have any information no matter how unimportant you may think it to be, to please get in contact with us and help bring those responsible to justice and bring some form of closure to the family of the deceased.”

Asked about a motive for the killing, Ms Burns said that the investigation was still in the early stages.

She confirmed that the dead man was the only victim of the incident, and that police did not have any suspects.

She added: “Again, anyone with any information, as little as it can be, please call us and let us know what that information is so we can pursue this investigation.

“We are going to do some house-to-house inquiries and see what we can come up with.”

The road was cordoned off to allow officers to process the area.

Speaking at the scene just after the shooting, a Bermuda Police Service spokesman said: “Shortly after 7.45 this evening, residents of the Mary Victoria neighbourhood contacted police, saying that they heard several gunshots in the area.

“Police arrived and found a male with several gunshot wounds to the body lying in the roadway in an unresponsive state. Officers immediately began performing life-saving measures pending the arrival of the EMTs.

“Once they arrived, they continued life-saving procedures, and the individual was transported to hospital for treatment of his injuries.

“At this time, we have no further details to give to you, so when we have more information, we will either send it to you in an e-mail or post on our social media. That’s as much as we have.”

The Shadow Minister of National Security, Michael Dunkley, said: “Less than a month ago, Bermuda experienced the loss of life as a result of gun violence and already we’ve found ourselves here again.

“The OBA extends its deepest condolences to the loved ones of the deceased.

“Families should be preparing for the festive holiday season, not making unexpected funeral preparations. When does this senselessness stop?

“What kind of sick satisfaction are these gunmen gaining? How do they sleep peacefully knowing that they’ve left a family devastated? Where has the moral fibre of this country gone?

“Too many lives have been snatched away at the hands of cold-hearted killers. Will we continue to remain silent, or we will find the courage and speak to the police. Please, if you know something say something.

The killing is the fourth murder of the year.

In February, the body of Kyari Flood, 23, was discovered in a secluded, overgrown area off Border Lane South and Friswells Road in Pembroke. Mr Flood had been shot.

A month later, Marco Perinchief, 49, was found unconscious on a grass verge on Clyde Best Lane in Sandys and subsequently died from his injuries.

Last month, Wilfred Outerbridge Jr, 35, and a father of three, died after he was shot several times at his home by the Railway Trail in Warwick.

There has been a spate of non-fatal shooting incidents in recent months. In September, a 30-year-old man was injured after being shot in Paget.

A few days later, police responded to reports of gunshots on Court Street in Hamilton. Although no one was injured in that attack, a bullet casing was found in the area.

In October, a gunman opened fire on a truck in a drive-by shooting in broad daylight in Hamilton.

Shots were also fired outside a home on Factory Lane in Pembroke last month.

Anyone with information concerning the latest shooting is asked to call Detective Sergeant Odessa Philip, of the serious crime unit, on 717-2193 or e-mail her at ophilip@bps.bm.

Witnesses can also call the main police number, 295-0011, or the confidential Crime Stoppers Hotline, 800-8477. Alternatively, the public can share information with a police officer.

• UPDATE: this article has been updated to include a comment from the shadow national security minister

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