Senator Jeff Baron says a series of recent incidents which have transpired within the last week has left the community “terrorised by violence.”

Mr Baron, Minister of National Security, sounded off on the occurrences in a release issued on Friday afternoon.

The release comes on the heels of the shooting of a 19-year-old man in the Rambling Lane, Pembroke area on Thursday night.

In an update provided yesterday morning, police said the victim remained in critical condition in hospital.

“Police are actively investigating the matter — and I echo their calls for anyone who may be able to assist the police to please come forward and share what you know,” Mr Baron said.

“Tragically, this past weekend our community lost another young man”, Mr Baron said of the fatal stabbing of Raymond Butterfield outside the Blue Waters Anglers Club late Sunday night.

The 28-year-old footballer with First Division side Wolves was father to an eight-week-old daughter.

“Our sincerest condolences are extended to Mr Butterfield’s family and friends at this difficult time,” said Mr Baron.

Mikiel Thomas, 19, a Bermuda Under-20 footballer, has been charged with unlawful killing in connection with the incident.

Mr Thomas plays for Premier Division side Devonshire Cougars.

He was released on $50,000 bail and is expected to appear before the Supreme Court next month.

The recent incidents have prompted meetings with the police commissioner, the minister said.

Despite “multiple strategies” announced earlier this month aimed at stemming the violence, more must be done “to safeguard and protect our citizens”, Mr Baron said. “Government cannot do it alone.”

Work continues, he said, on the implementation of Operation Ceasefire — a “community-collaborative initiative that has proven to be effective in curbing violence”.

“It is my hope that members of our community will partner with us in the spirit of collaboration as we work to seek solutions to address the challenges we face.”

Pastor, counsellor, and gang mediator Leroy Bean said that the solution to the problem must be “indigenous of Bermuda.”

“So many times we want to bring in everybody,” he said

Change, he said, will take relationships forged inside the communities.

“The solution, the healing, needs to come from within.”

It will also require a collective approach.

“It’s not going to take one organisation, one group of people, it’s not going to take Government or anybody else — it’s going to take all of us together,” he said.

“We can’t just find ourselves doing a little here and there and think it’s going to work,” Mr Bean said.

“This is going to take some time. It’s not something that’s going to happen overnight.”