Perry Puckerin — Bermuda's first murder victim of 2010 — feared for his life in the weeks before he was killed, his heartbroken parents revealed yesterday.

Perry Sr. and Maxzine Puckerin told The Royal Gazette their eldest son was not involved in gang activity but had lost friends to gun violence in recent months and was scared he could be next.

The 34-year-old was shot dead in the bar of Hamilton Parish Workman's Club at 9.30 p.m. on Sunday, leaving behind 16-year-old son Lejuan and eight-year-old daughter Kerry.

Mr. Puckerin's murder was the fourth in less than a month and Police believe he was deliberately targeted. The victim was from the St. Monica's Road area of Pembroke — known locally as 42nd Street — and his family claim the Parkside gang is to blame. Mrs. Puckerin, 55, said: "He feared for his life — that they might come after him. He feared for his life because of what's been going on on this Island with these shootings.

"He was never involved in this type of stuff at all. He tried to stay out of trouble.

"He never went with no gangs; he wasn't like that. [There is] no sort of reason why we can understand why they took his life."

Sobbing, she added: "It hurts so bad that my body is numb. He was my first born. I loved him so much I just can't believe he's gone. He was my son and I loved him; through the good and the bad I loved him.

"He was a good person and he got himself caught up in stupid things sometimes but he loved his family and he was always there for his family.

"I'm not saying he was innocent. He had a mouth on him. He would definitely tell you how he felt. But he wasn't a fighter. He's not a violent person."

Mr. Puckerin, 54, said: "Most of those guys are not involved in gangs but where they stay to, they have got to stick together. He was vulnerable at the time because he was from 42nd. Other guys out on 42nd had been shot.

"It seems like those guys are targeting 42nd guys. Most everyone that has been killed is 42nd."

Bermuda has been rocked by gun violence in recent months, with five men murdered and 13 other people shot since last May.

Police told a press conference yesterday that at least ten patrons were drinking in the bar at Crawl Club at closing time on Sunday when the assailant entered and took aim at Perry Jr. Witnesses described hearing two or three shots.

Mr. Puckerin was told his son was shot underneath the arm and the bullet travelled through his chest, killing him almost instantly. "It was close range," he said. "They came up to him and stuck the gun under his arm."

The victim's aunt, Joann Arorash, said: "The bar was getting ready to close. They say he [Perry] was one of the last ones to leave. He really was singled out and they don't know why.

"I don't think he was involved in any gangs. I just really think it's vengeance that's going on. We really can't pinpoint because only the dead know the truth. I think there is some connection with rivalry. They just don't value life at all."

The victim's cousin, Judy Outerbridge, said: "I'm just tired of it all. It just makes you wonder who is going to be next. It needs to stop."

Perry Jr. was the eldest of three boys; his brothers are Michael, 27, and Lamont, 17. He went to Dellwood Primary School, Warwick Academy and St. George's Secondary School.

An unemployed floor tiler, he lived in a house on Band Room Lane with his uncle Mark and had been in trouble with the law in the past. He served a three-month jail term in 2002 for stabbing an ex-girlfriend and also had convictions for dishonesty, carrying a weapon, and possession of crack cocaine.

But his mother said his criminal behaviour was behind him and he was a committed father who had been trying to lead a good life for some time.

"He thought the world about his daughter and was very close to his son too," she said. "He was just a lovable person. "He loved his life, he loved children. He was always surrounded by children."

Yesterday, she and her husband were being comforted by relatives and friends at their home just off St. Monica's Road, where the family has lived for more than 30 years.

Mrs. Puckerin described seeing her son for the last time on Sunday, when he popped round for a tin of cream.

"He came to the house yesterday morning and hugged me and kissed me. He hugged me up and said: 'I love you mummy, I love you. He said: 'Mom, I need a jacket to put on because it's cold.' I gave him his brother's jacket to put on and that was the last time I saw him."

That evening, she got a phone call to say he had been shot and rushed to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital to await the ambulance bringing him in.

"By the time they got there and talked to my husband, they said he had died in an instant," said Mrs. Puckerin. "He felt no pain. It's the only blessing but it doesn't bring back my child.

"I have lost a child for stupid reasons. It's shameful that my son's life had to be cut short but everything happens for a reason."

She said of those responsible: "It has to be Parkside, without a doubt. They are just cowards. They are not man enough to stand up and take a fist fight."

Mrs. Puckerin, who works for Argus Insurance, said Perry Jr.'s son was off the Island when the murder happened. His daughter, she said, understood that her dad had passed away and was devastated.

The little girl — a pupil at Victor Scott Primary School — told this newspaper she last spoke to her father on the telephone and his final words were: "I'll check you later". "He spoils me," said Kerry. "I like going with him to his football game."

Neighbours, standing close to graffiti-covered walls near the family home commemorating other shooting victims, said they were saddened but not shocked by the latest slaying.