Police: Murders were gang-related
The fatal shooting of two men in a Pembroke convenience store was gang-related, Chief Inspector Nick Pedro stated yesterday.Ricco Furbert, 25, and Haile Outerbridge, 34, both from Pembroke, were fatally shot inside Belvin’s Variety store on Happy Valley Road.Ch Insp Pedro said the gunman is believed to have been part of a convoy of motorcycles that travelled from Curving Avenue to Happy Valley Road.The shooter, seen on CCTV cameras wearing a blue rain suit and black full faced helmet, chased one of the victims into the store at around 9pm and shot both men.Ch Insp Pedro said at a press conference held outside the Pembroke store yesterday: “An armed response unit was the first unit to arrive within a very short time of the first 911 call.“The two men were found at the rear of the premises suffering from what appeared to be multiple gunshot wounds. First aid was administered to the men, and EMTs from [King Edward VII Memorial Hospital] also attended and took the men under their care and to the hospital.“Both men succumbed to their injuries.”Forensic Crime Scene examiners and detectives were yesterday continuing their investigation into the incident. A 21-year-old man was last night in police custody in connection with the shooting.Only one firearm is believed to have been used in the incident, Ch Insp Pedro said. It has not been determined how many shots were fired.Ch Insp Pedro was also unable to confirm where the gunman and the convoy he was with were before they reached Curving Avenue.Police are asking anyone who was in the Curving Avenue or Happy Valley Road area between 8.50pm and 9.10pm Wednesday and who saw a group of men travelling on two or three motorcycles to contact the Serious Crime Unit on 247-1739 or 247-1340 or the confidential and independent Crime Stoppers hotline, 800-8477 (TIPS).“These men would have travelled from Curving Avenue onto Happy Valley Road, and following the shooting at about 9.04pm, they travelled east along Happy Valley Road in the direction of Shelton Road, Deepdale, or Montpelier Road,” Ch Insp Pedro said.“Someone in the community knows the identity of this gunman. This gunman came home to a family member, friend or other relative. There are people in the community who are harbouring these murderers, enabling this activity, and know who they are.“I am appealing to anyone in the community that believes that this senseless killing must stop to come forward immediately and assist the police to bring these killers to justice.”