Four men arrested in connection with fatal shooting in Flatts
Four men have been arrested in connection with a shooting on Friday morning that left a teenager dead and another young man in hospital.
Police said that Letrae Doeman, 19, was found in the car park of the Brightside Guest Apartments in Flatts and died a short time later.
A 20-year-old man was still in hospital on Saturday, where he was said to be in a stable condition.
At a press conference on Saturday, Acting Detective Inspector Jason Smith asked for anyone in the area around 1am or shortly thereafter to contact police.
Mr Smith said: “We are making an appeal to the public today for assistance in helping us to … trace the movements of the two victims in this case, who at the time were both on the same motorcycle.”
He continued: “We are also looking for assistance in identifying two men who were on a motorcycle.
“Our inquiries have led us to believe that these two suspects on a motorbike entered the area from Harrington Sound Road on to Flatts Hill, where they confronted the victims who were on their motorcycle, in particular at the triangle roundabout at the junction of North Shore Road and Flatts Hill.
“We know from our inquiries that there were a lot of vehicles that were travelling in and around that particular area at the time of the shooting.
“For instance, we know that there is a vehicle that turned from Flatts Hill on to Harrington Sound Road at about the same time that the suspect bike was at that junction.
“We also know that immediately after the shooting, just outside of the parking lot at Brightside, there was a motor car that had stopped and the gunmen who were on the motorbike would have been almost in direct contact with that particular motor car.
“That is critical to our lines of inquiry.”
Mr Smith appealed to anyone in the car to contact police.
The detective called on members of the public to help “piece together this puzzle”.
He added: “I have had the unfortunate circumstance today of meeting with the family of Mr Doeman.
“As one can appreciate, it is a very difficult and challenging time for the family and any assistance that you can give to help us to bring closure would be greatly appreciated.”
Mr Smith said that police responded to several 911 calls about gunshots at about 1.10am yesterday.
He explained: “Police officers arrived shortly thereafter and they found a man who was lying on the ground in the parking lot of the Brightside Guest Apartments.
“This male was unresponsive. Police officers rendered first aid in an attempt to resuscitate him.
“Unfortunately the young man succumbed to his injuries a short while later at the hospital.
“While officers were at the hospital dealing with the deceased man, another male appeared at the hospital also suffering from gunshot wounds.
“That man was treated, he was detained in the hospital for further treatment, where he remains today.”
Letrae Doeman was a Primary 3 pupil at Victor Scott Primary School in February 2011 when he and his classmates were invited to write about their feelings on gun violence.
Many of the children lived in the Pembroke neighbourhood where multiple shootings had happened, and some were personally affected.
Sophia Iris, who was their teacher at the time, said she wanted her pupils to have a platform and a “way to be heard”.
Mr Doeman said then: “I think the police should shut down the guns and all the gunmen need to stop shooting and put away the guns and throw them in the trash.”
Mr Smith said that the four men who were arrested – all in their late teens and early 20s – were in police custody while inquiries continued.
He told The Royal Gazette that it was too early to say whether the victims were chased by the shooters and evidence such as CCTV footage was under review.
But the detective confirmed it was understood that the men were at an event before the fatal shooting.
He explained: “Our lines of inquiry lead us to believe that they were at the Bailey’s Bay Cricket Club just prior to them coming along North Shore Road and in the area of Flatts.”
Mr Smith said there was no suggestion at this time that an altercation took place at the club.
He added: “But any parties who were present at the club who witnessed that, please make contact with us.”
The detective said police were "open-minded“ about whether or not the incident was gang-related.
Mr Smith said: “It is with the support of the public and the police working together that helps us to piece together these puzzles and to make Bermuda a safer place.”
He added that he was grateful to people who had already helped police with their inquiries.
Anyone with information can call the main police number 295-0011, the non-emergency number 211 or Mr Smith on 717-0864.
Information can be provided anonymously to CrimeStoppers on 800-8477.
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