A man being questioned in connection with the murder of gang affiliate Raymond (Yankee) Rawlins was remanded into Police custody for a further period of time yesterday.

The man, from Pembroke, was brought to Supreme Court amid tight security and a media blackout.

Dozens of Police officers some of them armed surrounded Sessions House as the suspect was brought into the building.

Puisne Justice Charles-Etta Simmons heard an application from prosecutors made under the recent amendment to the Firearms Act, which allows the Police to detain gun suspects for up to a month without charge.

Police previously had 72 hours to charge or release those arrested for firearms offences. But under the amendment passed last month, they can apply for a warrant of detention to hold them for an extra 14 days, then make a second application for a further 14-day extension.

The result of yesterday's hearing was that the judge made an order authorising the man's further detention in Police custody.

Mrs. Justice Simmons also issued an injunction preventing the media from publishing anything likely to identify the man until such time as he may be charged before the courts with an offence.

He was represented by defence lawyer Larry Mussenden, with Senior Crown counsel Cindy Clarke appearing for the Department of Public Prosecutions.

Part of Reid Street was closed to traffic as the man was brought out of court with a blanket over his head and transported back to Hamilton Police Station in a Police Toyota Landcruiser.

Members of the media and workers at Sessions House were barred from entering the premises by Police officers.

Among those turned away at the gates were Dame Jennifer Smith, Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly.

Court Street businessman and resident Mr. Rawlins, 47, was murdered in a hail of bullets in the entrance of Spinning Wheel nightclub on that street early on Monday morning.

Six years ago, Mr. Rawlins told this newspaper he was a member of Frontline Crew, which is now considered one of Bermuda's first organised gangs.

He has more recently been affiliated with the Parkside Crew, which grew out of Frontline.

Thirty minutes before Mr. Rawlins was murdered, 21-year-old Julian Washington was shot in the parking lot of Mid-Atlantic Boat Club, on North Shore Road, Devonshire. Early Friday morning 21-year-old Prince Edness was shot in the Court Street area. Both survived their injuries.

Police have said all three shootings are linked to an ongoing rivalry between the Parkside and 42 gangs. They added that all three victims have links with, or are associated with, the gangs.