Police have identified two men who were fatally shot early on Wednesday as 18-year-old Razi Garland and 19-year-old Amon Robinson.

The deaths of the teenagers came as the island was reeling from the deaths of four people, including two children, in a South Terrace apartment.

While the investigation into all six deaths continues, the Bermuda Police Service confirmed yesterday that officer numbers are now at a 45-year low.

However, according to a notice published in the Official Gazette, the Governor, Rena Lalgie, has given permission for the full embodiment of the Bermuda Reserve Police.

The embodiment under provisions of Section 16 of the Police Act, 1974, is permitted to continue until August 9.

In a statement, police confirmed Mr Garland and Mr Robinson as those who were fatally injured in a shooting in the Scaur Hill, Sandys area at about 6.05am on Wednesday.

A spokesman for the BPS said: “The BPS extend our sincere condolences to the families and friends of both young men.

“Two BPS family liaison officers are providing relevant assistance to the families of each deceased teen.

“Their autopsies will be conducted in due course.

“The investigation regarding this double murder is ongoing and the BPS are grateful to those persons that have already come forward to assist with inquiries.”

Detective Sergeant Anneka Donawa, the senior investigating officer, is renewing an appeal to anyone with any information to come forward.

Ms Donawa can be reached on 717-2250 or at adonawa@bps.bm.

Information can also be provided through the BPS online community reporting portal, portal.police.bm.

Alternatively, anonymous tips can be sent via the independent and confidential Crime Stoppers Bermuda hotline, 800-8477, or the Crime Stoppers Bermuda website, www.crimestoppers.bm.

“Once again, the BPS urge members of our community directly or indirectly affected by Wednesday’s senseless killing, or any other recent violent incidents, to please reach out to any of the relevant helping agencies for specialist assistance, if necessary.”

The Berkeley Institute said that the two young men were “cherished members of our graduating class of 2023” and their loss had profoundly affected the school community.

“This tragedy is especially heartbreaking as Razi is the son of one of our esteemed teachers,” the school statement said. “Words cannot express the depth of our anguish for our colleague and both extended families during this incredibly difficult time.

“We offer our sincerest condolences to the Garland and Robinson families. This tragedy has rocked our school community, and there are no words to adequately convey our sorrow.

“We are committed to supporting our colleague and each other through this painful period and honouring the memories of Razi and Amon.”

The school added that counsellors and personnel from the Department of Education have been available to the school faculty, staff and students in the Berkeley Accelerated Summer Institute and summer school.

Mr Garland was a former deputy head boy at Berkeley and Green House captain and a recipient of multiple scholarships.

Last year he was highlighted in this newspaper as a recipient of a Devonshire Parish Council scholarship as he pursued a bachelor of science degree in psychology ad Bethune Cookman University in Florida.

He was also involved in the SkillCraft Social-Media Internship programme last year.

Mr Robinson was highlighted for his work in the Devonshire community last year when he volunteered to help clear out cane grass is several areas.

In the House of Assembly, Lovitta Foggo, a Progressive Labour Party backbencher, expressed her condolences on the loss of the “two young Berkeley-ites”, who graduated last year.

“They were in my grandson’s year,” she said. “I watched them through their graduation ceremonies, saw much of the joy that they felt having accomplished some of the accolades that they did.

“Our hearts are reeling for their loss.”

Christopher Famous, who had highlighted both young men’s accomplishments in this newspaper, also remarked about the loss of “two of Devonshire’s brightest young minds” in the House.