Cup Match star murdered
Police have identified Khiry Furbert, a father and former Cup Match cricketer, as the victim of a fatal shooting that took place yesterday in the early-morning hours.
Mr Furbert, 34, who leaves behind an 11-year-old daughter, was left fighting for his life after sustaining a head injury in the incident on Tribe Road No 5, near Ord Road in Paget.
Police said a witness discovered Mr Furbert lying unattended in the road at about 12.45am, and called for help.
Mr Furbert was transported to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital but succumbed to his injuries.
In the aftermath, Acting Detective Chief Inspector Clifford Roberts said that officers continued conducting house-to-house inquiries and checking CCTV footage.
Mr Roberts added: “We need your help. We would like your help. We want your help.
“So come forward — don’t be silent, don’t sit on the side. It makes no difference how insignificant you believe that information may be.”
He added: “Please do not sit on the side and hold anything in.”
Mr Furbert’s murder is the island’s ninth since Bermuda Day.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Antoine Daniels emphasised that the investigation was in its early stages, and could not say if Mr Furbert’s murder appeared to be connected to others.
He said he hoped the community would be “disgusted”, adding: “For someone to pick up a firearm or any type of weapon and take someone’s life has to resonate with everyone in this country.
“As I’ve said for many years, if we don’t stick together and try to eradicate this problem, then it will come to us.”
“At a time of year that is supposed to joyous, sadly another family is mourning the loss of their loved one. Another young Black man stripped of his life prematurely because of senseless gun violence. Another child left to mourn her father.
“Our heartfelt condolences to the family of the late Khiry Furbert. Your loss is resonating throughout the country as it’s obvious that Mr Furbert was well loved by many.
“The community can no longer afford to remain silent. The One Bermuda Alliance would like to echo the sentiments of the Bermuda Police Service and encourage those who may have information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for Mr Furbert’s tragic death, to come forward.
“His loved ones deserve justice. His daughter deserves justice.
“When we remain silent, we are a part of the problem.”
--- Ben Smith
Mr Furbert was a longtime wicketkeeper for Western Stars Sports Club, reaching a personal highlight by being selected in the summer of 2022 to the Somerset Cup Match team and for Bermuda for international duty in Jersey.
Members of the cricketing fraternity expressed their condolences and spoke of his sporting prowess.
Devarr Boyles, the president of Western Stars, described Mr Furbert as “a colourful character”. Mr Boyles said: “We are numb.
“At the club we have an executive and management communications chat group where the news was posted today. Khiry’s family and friends contacted me to say that he had passed.
“I have since had the opportunity to contact his mom and extend condolences from the club to the family. We will support them as much as we can.
“Khiry had a big personality. He joined us at 16 and has done about 20 years at Western Stars. To be committed for that long is very good.
“Two years ago, he helped us in our first promotion in the T20 and the 50-Over version of cricket when he was captain.
“He also had a spell in the Bermuda national team.
“Over the last four years, he has been involved in the Somerset Cricket Club Cup Match team. He made a valuable contribution to our success at Cup Match in 2022 and has played in the eastern, central and western counties. He has put in all the hard yards as a sportsman.
“For our club, we are on our knees now. We just recently got relegated from the Premier Division to the First Division. Khiry would have been instrumental in stabilising the programme and getting us promoted again.
“More importantly he has a young family. The family will determine if we have any role to play, but we stand ready and, if they need us, we can provide some support.”
Richard Scott, the president of Somerset Cricket Club, said: “We at Somerset Cricket Club express our condolences after this tragic event.
“Certainly, our thoughts and prayers are with them at this difficult time when families are looking to be together to celebrate Christmas.”
Lloyd Smith and Calvin Blankendal, the president and executive director of the Bermuda Cricket Board, also offered their sympathies.
In a joint statement, they said: “The BCB fondly remembers the passionate display and outstanding cricket skills of Mr Furbert.
“Khiry represented the BCB as a member of the 2007, under-19 team that qualified for the 2008 ICC Under-19 World Cup, held in Malaysia.
“Khiry also represented the BCB during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, travelling to Jersey for the ICC Cricket World Challenge League. His efforts during a challenging time for the BCB and Bermuda will not be forgotten.
“He is best remembered as an outstanding wicketkeeper-batter for the Western Stars Sports Club. The BCB mourns his loss and extends our sincerest condolences to the Western Stars Sports Club.”
Detective Sergeant Odessa Philip has been placed in charge of this investigation. Any information can be sent to her through ophilip@bps.bm.
Police are keen to speak with those who spoke to Mr Furbert in the hours leading up to his death, or who were in the area between midnight and 12.45am and who might have noticed anything suspicious.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the main police line, 295-0011, or the independent and confidential Crime Stoppers number, 800-8477.
Potential witness can also contact a familiar police officer, or use the police’s community reporting portal.
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