Investigation launched after gunshots heard in Pembroke
Police appealed for information this morning after gunshots were heard and a bullet was reportedly found at a Pembroke home last night.
The Bermuda Police Service said that “multiple” shots were heard in the area of West Park Lane at about 11.10pm.
A statement added: “Units were dispatched to the location to carry out checks.
“It was reported that a bullet was found inside a residence in the area of Ingham Vale, Pembroke.
“Officers of the forensic support unit attended and processed the scene.”
February 3: multiple shots are heard by Pembroke residents at about 12.35am, with police finding evidence of shots fired on Crossland Lane
February 25: a single shot is reported at about 4.20pm at South Avenue, Southampton. No one is found injured
February 27: shots are fired outside a home at Tribe Road No 5 in Paget
March 10: a 38-year-old man is shot multiple times outside the Spinning Wheel club on Court Street
A string of firearms incidents have been reported in recent weeks, although none have been fatal.
In a shooting on Court Street earlier this month, no one called 911 and police were made aware of the incident only because an off-duty police in the area heard the sound of gunfire.
Today, Michael Weeks, the Minister of National Security, and Michael Dunkley, the shadow minister, urged the community to co-operate with authorities in bringing perpetrators of gun violence to justice.
Mr Weeks said: "Any firearms incident is concerning. The Bermuda Police Service is investigating these incidents, and I am confident that our community will assist the police with their inquiries.
“The ministry continues to address the root causes of all antisocial behaviour and it is important to note that firearms incidents are just one aspect of this.
“Incidents of this kind cannot be allowed to shatter the peace of communities and the good work being done by so many agencies to provide alternatives to this kind of activity.
“The police and the courts will handle the enforcement of the law and they have the ministry's support. Inside our communities we can play our part by likewise supporting the investigation of these incidents with help to the police."
Mr Dunkley speculated about more instances of gun crime recently that have not been reported to the police.
He said: “There’s been a worrying increase in firearm incidents over last few weeks. There is also a concern, which I’m sure we share with the police, in that some of them may have not been reported to the police. We need to do better than that.
“Violent crime and the use of guns is not acceptable at any time. We as a community cannot be silent when these types of things happen.
“We need to provide the police with information; we need to share any information we may have to bring these perpetrators to justice or this situation will continue to get worse.
“Bermuda is a relatively safe place to live but the underpinning of gangs and guns can destroy our future wellbeing.
“It serves no one to try to guess why these incidents are happening. What’s vital is that they stop.”
The BPS said an investigation into the latest incident was under way and anyone with information was asked to call Detective Sergeant Odessa Philip, of the serious crime unit, on 247-1739, or e-mail ophilip@bps.bm.
They added: “You may otherwise share the information with an officer you know or by using the BPS community reporting portal at portal.police.bm.
“Another option would be to visit the independent and confidential Crime Stoppers website at crimestoppers.bm and complete the anonymous online reporting form.”
• UPDATE: this article has been updated with comments from the national security minister and shadow national security minister
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