A shooting that left a 20-year-old man dead in Devonshire on Wednesday night has all the hallmarks of a gang-related murder, police said.

Jahcari Francis was fatally shot at a residence in Upland Street at about 10.45pm. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

“While detectives believe this has the hallmarks of a gang-related murder, they continue to pursue all lines of enquiry to determine the circumstances that led to this callous act,” police said in a release yesterday.

The death is the second fatal shooting of 2017.

Wayne Caines, named Minister of National Security yesterday afternoon, said that Mr Francis’s death had intensified the Progressive Labour Party’s plan to tackle gang and gun violence.

“Right now, we want to look at accelerating our strategy,” Mr Caines said. “There was a lot of work that was done by the former minister — we want to look at that and see if we can make some significant headway with gang reduction and the gun violence reduction here in Bermuda.”

Gina Spence, anti-violence activist, said she had been contacted by several of Mr Francis’s family members after the shooting.

Both gun-violence victims and those pulling the trigger are getting younger, she said.

“That is of major concern,” Ms Spence said.

The focus of anti-violence efforts, she said, must be on prevention and education.

Stemming gun violence should be the top priority for Mr Caines. “You’re talking about people’s lives — and young people at that,” Ms Spence said.

“I do believe that we are at a place now where it’s definitely not going away any time soon.”

Desmond Crockwell, chief editor of Visionz magazine, said that focus on at-risk individuals must start at the school age.

Alternative educational methods must also be explored, he said.

“Traditional education does not work for all.”

David Burt, the Premier, addressed the incident in a statement released yesterday.

“My thoughts, prayers and condolences are extended to the man’s family and friends at their tragic loss,” he said.

Mr Burt encouraged anyone with any information on the “senseless act of violence” to help ensure those responsible could be “brought to justice”.

In its platform, the PLP said it would work to “eradicate the gang culture”, strengthening both legislation and enforcement.

“We must identify and address the root causes of crime and ongoing gang activity that are rooted in poor education outcomes and income inequality,” it said.

“The PLP will give reducing gang violence the priority it deserves.”

The appointment of a gang violence reduction co-ordinator was one of several pledges made by the PLP to be completed within the party’s first 100 days in power.

To be successful, Mr Crockwell stressed that gang members must be involved in the decision-making process.

“They know what they are fighting for,” he said.

“Whoever is in charge must have the love for working with at-risk, violent and angry young people in order to build a relationship with the person they are trying to help.”

Mr Crockwell said that Government played only a part of the process.

“Truthfully, they can only do so much,” he said.

“My concern is also with the community at large — the parents, neighbours, sports coaches, volunteers, and other youth workers. Are we really doing enough to stem the flow of violence when we recognise the potential danger?”

Ms Spence said she hoped the new Government would look to provide the “specific resources” around homicide and its effect on children and families.

“It is deep — and it runs long,” she said.

• Anyone with information is asked to contact the lead investigator on 247-1218 or via e-mail at jsmith@bps.bm.

Confidential information can also be provided to Crime Stoppers on 800-8477.