Upset neighbours recoil after shocking murder
Residents of the Devonshire neighbourhood where David Clarke was murdered on Sunday have spoken of their fear and upset.Mr Clarke, 26, was riding his bike back from the Mid Atlantic Boat Club when he was attacked at the junction of Bandroom Lane and North Shore Road around 10.30pm.He died despite the efforts of an off-duty Emergency Medical Technician to save him.Mr Clarke, a single man, sometimes stayed with a friend who lives metres from the scene of his death, although he spent most of his time with his parents, David Sr and Angela, in Friswells Road [see separate story]. A 26-year-old female resident of Band Room Lane who attended Victor Scott Primary School with Mr Clarke said: “I came in late, around 10.30pm, and the police were blocking off the road. “I saw him every day. He was quiet and didn’t talk much, but as he got older he seemed more full of life.”The neighbourhood is associated with the 42 gang, although police did not respond yesterday to requests for comment on whether the killing was gang-related. Mr Clarke is the fourth man shot dead so far this year.Death was on his mind in the weeks before he was killed, according to a chilling posting on his Facebook page.In a message dated March 2, entitled “Hood Prayer,” he wrote: “Please Lord yea its getting realer everyday, niggas killing, niggas starving bcuz they can’t find there way.“They c the 1st roll around n they bills they can not pay. So some b trapping sum b dying, Let us bow our heads and let us pray. Amen! R.I.P Fallen Soldiers. CHeeaaaaaa!”His parents told The Royal Gazette he did not have any gang links to their knowledge.His neighbour, who asked that her name not be published, said she did not know Mr Clarke well in adult life, although she often saw him.“It’s sad. It’s unfortunate. Nobody has the right to make the decision who lives or dies but apparently people are deciding to play God,” she said. “I don’t feel safe, but I grew up round here.”Another female neighbour, aged 71, said: “I just heard shots. I didn’t know what it was at the time; I was in my bed. My husband went outside and saw a bike and thought it was an accident. I feel nervous now.”The senior, who also asked that her name not be printed, knew Mr Clarke by sight and they would occasionally speak.“Last night I was leaving for church and he was leaving on his bike. He said ‘night ma’am’. I didn’t know his name. That was after 8pm and I didn’t see him no more.”Detective Chief Inspector Nicholas Pedro, who is leading the murder investigation, said of Mr Clarke: “He was travelling west on North Shore Road in Pembroke towards his residence where he was targeted by two men riding a motorcycle west on North Shore Road.“These men fired shots indiscriminately at Mr Clarke who tragically succumbed to his injuries a short time later.“Assistance was rendered to Mr Clarke by an off-duty EMT who was unable to save him from the injuries that he sustained.”He added: “I am aware that there are people in the community that know who the perpetrators are, and know where the guns are kept. And they can give this information to police either directly or through the confidential Crime Stoppers hotline.”Sunday’s murder happened in close proximity to the killing of 31-year-old Matthew Clarke who was bludgeoned to death in his home on North Shore Road, Pembroke in March 2008. His brother, Michael, said yesterday that David Clarke is not a relation of his family as far as he knows.Less than two hours after the latest murder, police responded to a report of an unconfirmed firearm incident around 11.55pm on Horseshoe Road in the area of Southampton Rangers Sports Club. No-one was injured.Anyone with information about Mr Clarke’s murder should contact the Serious Crime Unit on 299-8115 or the confidential Crime Stoppers hotline on 800-8477.
No-nonsense policing and longer prison sentences are needed to bring the Island's gun crime under control. More police raids, armed officers and bobbies walking the beat were also among the responses put forward in The Royal Gazette's Follow It Live forum yesterday. More than 2,000 people visited our online crime debate, which took place from 9am to 5.15pm, following the shooting of David Clarke, 26, on Sunday evening. The 26-year-old became the fourth man to be killed by gunfire this year.
We got a mixed bag of responses as we asked the controversial questions: Are we as a community doing enough? Are the police doing enough? Is Government doing enough?
The island's residents, as well as tourists, a customs officer and a former police officer, were very vocal as they voiced their differing opinions. One person wrote: “The police need to adopt a no nonsense policy (start breaking down doors, they know who these guys are), and government needs to increase penalties ASAP. None of this 'out early for good behaviour' or parole nonsense, 25 years means 25 years, period.”
While another person wrote: “Bermuda needs to go back to the policing of old when there was some sort of bust with a standing conviction right after. These fools being let out on bail aren't doing much to solve the problem.”
A total of 88 percent of voters agreed the police should be given more powers to stop the gang killings, but 61 percent did not think large cash rewards were the way to help police get evidence. A total of 75 percent of voters agreed police officers should be armed and 84 percent want CCTV cameras island wide
One person said he was fed up with “all talk, no action” from the Government and police adding: “When will someone finally have the balls to actually do something instead of saying the same things time and time again?”
There were calls to re-open Casemates as Westgate was called “a playground” and “a luxury resort,” and many people agreed tightening up custom control to stop the guns and ammunition coming into Bermuda was crucial. There was also general consensus for a town hall meeting to bring all the relevant parties together. Others suggested the solution was for people to talk up and tell the police what they know. One woman said: “Speak up, this is your chance so we can get our Island back.”
Parents also came under fire for being a “cycle of denial” and not owning up to the fact that their children are “bad apples.”
However, a massive 84 percent of voters said they would tell the police if they knew their son had committed a murder.
