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Police name murder victim

Michael Phillips

Police today named the victim of a shooting as 42-year-old Michael Steven Phillips.He was gunned down shortly after 9.30pm yesterday outside the Mid Atlantic Boat Club. The murder is the fourth death caused by the use of a firearm in Bermuda this year.After he was shot another man went inside the club and fired more shots - but no-one was injured.Police say that currently there is no evidence to indicate that the murder was gang related.Superintendent James Howard and Acting Chief Inspector Calvin Smith released the details at a press conference shortly after 1pm today.The North Shore Road, Devonshire bar remains closed off.While police were last night unable to confirm the details of the incident, early reports suggest that two gunmen were involved in the shooting.Superintendent James Howard said that he wished to wish to convey his sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr Phillips who sadly lost his life on Sunday evening."As reported previously, about 9.35pm last evening Mr Phillips was shot a number of times whilst outside in the parking area of the Mid Atlantic Boat Club."Incidents of this kind will continue to have a negative impact on the communities. I want to reassure you that we will use all the resources at our disposal to bring the offenders to Justice."However this cannot be done alone, and I therefore encourage anyone with information or knowledge of this incident to make contact with the detectives in this case, or Crime Stoppers. I would also encourage anyone who may have seen or been in contact with Mr Phillips over the last 24 hours to also contact the officers in the case."Detective Chief Inspector Calvin Smith said Mr Phillips went to the Boat Club on a motorcycle. "He entered the club, came back outside a short time later and got on the cycle. He proceeded to the parking lot exit. At that stage a suspect ran into the parking lot and began firing a handgun at Mr Phillips."Simultaneously another suspect entered the club and fired approximately three shots from a handgun causing the crowd of patrons to scatter. No one in the club was injured."The suspects both then left in a westerly direction on what was believed to be a dark colored motorcycle. Mr Phillips was taken to the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital where attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful, and he was declared dead a short time later."A full investigating team from the Serious Crime Unit is investigating the murder of Mr Phillips and has been working through the night since this incident was reported, and is pursuing a number of investigative leads."This afternoon Pembroke East MP, Walter Roban, said: "We as a community, must not stand for this. It’s going to take all of us doing our part to bring crime under control. The Progressive Labour Party extends our deepest sympathies to the family of the victim.“I wish to express my horror and sadness upon hearing for the tragic shooting at the Mid Atlantic Boat Club. This area has seen one too many of these incidences and I am concerned about the well being of the residents who live not far from the club grounds."This club has had a long admirable history and it is so unfortunate that its members and patrons are suffering through situations like this too often. “Anyone who has information that will be helpful to the authorities should come forward to assist.“My sympathies go out to the family of the victim and the members, patrons and officials of the Mid Atlantic Boat Club."And OBA leader Craig Cannonier said: "I send my sincerest condolences to the family and friends of our most recent murder victim.“Bermuda, this has to stop. This is not the norm and we can't let it become the norm. This isn't about the OBA or PLP, this is about human life. We as a community need to come together and rid ourselves of the violence.“If you know something, anything, please speak up. You could be saving a life, even your own. I urge you to do the right thing, for you, your family, your community."Members of the public who can assist in bringing the offenders to justice can do so by doing the following:-1. Call the independent and confidential CRIMESTOPPERS hotline at 800-84772. Call the Serious Crime Unit on 247 17393. Call any Police Station and speak to one of our officers 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on 295.0011Supt James Howard, speaking at the scene last night , said: “At 9.35pm, as a result of calls made to the police, several officers were dispatched to the area of the Mid-Atlantic Boat Club where it was reported that a firearms incident had taken place.“As a result, a 42-year-old male was taken to the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital. Unfortunately, that male has now succumbed to his injuries. At this time we have our forensic officers, as well as officers from the Serious Crime Unit conducting their inquiries into the incident.”He was unable to confirm how many shots were fired or if the victim had any known connection to gang activity. He was also unable to say how busy the Devonshire club was at the time of the shooting.Following the incident, police blocked off traffic travelling through the area as officers began their investigation, collecting evidence from the scene.The shooting is not the first at the club. Last month, a 29-year-old man suffered what were described as “superficial injuries” in a firearms incident at the same location, while in 2010 Julian Washington was shot in the club's parking lot.So far this year four gun murders have been recorded on the Island.Stefan Burgess, 24, was shot dead at a home on The Glebe Road, Pembroke in January, while 31-year-old Joshua Robinson was fatally shot at Jason's Barber Shop in Devonshire in June. Last month, Lorenzo Stovell, 24, was gunned down near Woody's Restaurant, Boaz Island, Sandys.

Photo by Mark TatemPolice officers begin their investigation into the shooting outside of the Mid-Atlantic Boat Club on North Shore Road, Devonshire last night in which a 42-year-old man was killed.