Progressive Labour Party MP Derrick Burgess has called for the creation of a community action group in the wake of a shooting at Bailey’s Bay Cricket Club.

In a statement, Mr Burgess said the continued gun violence in the community must be confronted with a “diligent and passionate approach”.

“I witness the pain of a family after their son, a 40-year-old father of two was seriously injured from gunshot wounds while socialising at the club. Let our thoughts and prayers be with the family, daughters and friends of this young man. This has saddened many in the Hamilton Parish community, as he was well known, well liked and troubled no one.

“The time is now that the community must partner and work with the members of Bailey’s Bay Cricket Club to address and tackle this antisocial behaviour. We cannot tolerate our children getting shot and killed or seriously injured within our communities any longer. There is no excuse for criminality. It must be dealt with swiftly and robustly.

“We need to change the life stories of our young men ending up dead or wounded on our streets or locked in a cycle of reoffending or refusing to exit their violent lifestyles. It is our duty to eradicate this gang and gun violence by providing the police with all the tools they need to protect our communities.”

As of this morning, the victim was still in critical condition at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

Anyone with information about the shooting, which took place shortly after midnight on June 2, is urged to contact the Serious Crime Unit on 247-1739 or the independent and confidential Crime Stoppers hotline at 800-8477.