Panicked diners ran for cover after a gunman opened fire in a drive-by shooting outside a popular Hamilton restaurant yesterday afternoon.

Police said they believed that there were two intended victims who were targeted as they left the Bermy Cuisine diner on Serpentine Road in a work truck.

Detective Inspector Jason Smith confirmed later that no one was injured in the attack.

Witnesses say they saw one of the victims pick up a lunch order from the restaurant before getting into the truck, which then pulled out on to the main road.

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A lone gunman on a motorcycle then appeared, firing a shot into the cabin of the vehicle before escaping in the direction of Woodlands Road. At first it was thought that several shots had been fired but police clarified later that there was one.

The victims were able to speed away down Dundonald Street, crashing into several vehicles before coming to a stop near the Masters hardware store.

Other witnesses said they then saw at least one of the victims rush out of the vehicle and run into the store.

When The Royal Gazette arrived at the scene minutes after the incident, the vehicle could be seen parked haphazardly across the road with the passenger door still open and the windscreen wipers still operating. A bullet hole could be seen in the windscreen on the driver’s side and the window on the driver’s side was shattered.

A van that the truck had collided with as it veered down Dundonald Street at speed was left abandoned by its owner while two other vehicles that had been parked on the side of the road were also damaged.

Police cordoned off the area for several hours to process the crime scene. Speaking at the scene, Detective Inspector Jason Smith described the incident, which took place on a busy road, as “brazen” and “alarming”.

He said: “There was a shooting outside of Bermy Cuisine and there were two persons who we believe were the intended targets. Fortunately for them, they were not shot and have not been injured.

“There is an active investigation and we are asking for those members of the community, particularly who might have seen or heard anything, who can provide any information so that we can trace the movements of the suspect vehicle to and away from the scene.”

The gunman, believed to be male, was wearing a black jacket, dark-coloured pants, white sneakers and a black helmet and was riding a white step-through motorcycle.

Mr Smith added: “We are asking anyone with CCTV cameras along Woodlands Road and the surrounding area to please check their devices to see whether they may have captured video or still images of anyone fitting the description of the suspect.

“The brazenness of this incident is particularly alarming as it took place at the height of the luncheon interval, with several people gathered outside the Bermy Cuisine restaurant or making their way back to their places of work or to patronise nearby businesses.

“This should be cause for major concern among the community and I am asking that anyone with any information at all on this incident to please get in contact with us urgently.”

The Royal Gazette interviewed several witnesses who spoke of their fear as the shots rang out.

One Bermy Cuisine patron, who did not wish to be named, said: “As soon as I heard the gun go off, I turned round and saw the truck head off across the roundabout going the wrong way. It then went down Dundonald [Street], bashed into one car and then came by and struck another car before stopping.

“I was just here buying a sandwich. It was frightening stuff.”

Another witness said: “We were in the queue with one of the men who got shot at. He got his lunch, got into the truck, and the shooter was here waiting for him. As the truck was leaving, the shooter fired into it.

“There were maybe about six of us in the line at the time — maybe more — and lots of other people around too. It’s lucky nobody was killed.”

Mr Smith’s call for witnesses was echoed by politicians from both political parties.

Michael Weeks, the Minister of National Security, said: "I am appalled by today's shooting incident and feel sorry for those who had to experience this terrifying event.

“This act of violence is reckless and puts innocent lives at risk, which is totally unacceptable in a civilised society such as Bermuda.

"I condemn this violence in the strongest possible terms and am confident that the Bermuda Police Service will apprehend those responsible for this heinous crime.

“We urge anyone with information about this incident to come forward and assist the Bermuda Police Service in the investigation so that they can bring the culprits to justice."

Michael Dunkley, the Shadow Minister of National Security, echoed those sentiments.

He said: “It’s bad enough that we have to deal with incidents of gun violence in Bermuda, but the actions of today are totally reprehensible. To brazenly shoot at someone in the height of the day in a very busy area is the lowest of the low.

“The area in which the shooting occurred is very busy and often frequented by many, with schools and businesses in the vicinity. There could have been many innocent victims today.

“We hope that any witnesses will come forward and speak to the police. Today’s perpetrator needs to be brought to justice. Silence is complicity.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Inspector Smith on 717-0864 or e-mail jsmith2@bps.bm. Alternatively, call the main police number, 295-0011.

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