A murder investigation has been launched after a woman was shot dead on Friday morning in a Pembroke neighbourhood.

Police confirmed that the woman was shot at a residence on South Terrace near Friswells Hill Road in Pembroke at about 12.30am.

A police spokesman said she was found with injuries that were “very serious and bordering on life-threatening”.

Emergency personnel conducted life-saving measures upon arrival and continued efforts as she was taken to the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital for treatment, where she succumbed to her injuries.

A family liaison officer has been appointed to assist her loved ones.

Anyone with information about the incident should contact Detective Inspector Clifford Roberts at 717-0590 or by e-mail at croberts2@bps.bm.

The public can also contact Detective Sergeant Anneka Donawa at 717-2250 or, via email at adonanwa@bps.bm

Information can also be given through the main police number, 295-0011, or the 211 reporting line.

The confidential Crime Stoppers can also be contacted at 800-8477.

The spokesman added: “You are urged, if you prefer, to share the information with a police officer you know.

“We are particularly interested in speaking with anyone who resides on South Terrace or its environs, and who may have heard or seen any suspicious activity in the area shortly before or after 12.30am.

“I cannot stress enough, no matter how insignificant you may think that information may be, it could prove vital to bringing whomever is responsible for this incident to justice.”

Michael Weeks, the Minister of National Security, said: “We are all deeply concerned about the continued violence in our community.

“[Friday’] incident is yet another heartbreaking reminder of the urgency with which we must address this issue.”

He added: “This pattern of violence cannot be allowed to continue.

“As the Bermuda Police Service work to investigate this and other incidents, we must take a stand against such acts as a community.

“We must promote an environment where violence is neither tolerated nor ignored.

“I am calling on all residents, especially those in the South Terrace area, to come forward with any information that could aid the police in their investigation.

“Your input, no matter how small it may seem, could be crucial in ensuring justice and preventing further violence.”

Ben Smith, the Shadow Minister of National Security, offered his condolences to the family of the victim.

But he also begged the question: “How often do we have to be giving condolences?”

Mr Smith added: “We can no longer, as a country, accept this behaviour continuously.

“I’ve only been in this role for a short amount of time and this is the third time that I’ve had to give this speech.

“What happens is that people are going to give prayers and they’re going to give condolences and by the following day they’ve moved on as if it didn’t happen.”

He said: “We have a crisis in our country and it needs to be treated as the emergency that it is.

“Another life has been taken by gun violence and there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight, so I think it is imperative that there is a plan in place for how we are going to tackle this issue because it is multifaceted.

“It’s not as simple as locking people up. There is a systemic issue in our country at the moment that is breeding the kind of anger that is leading to this behaviour.”

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