Two fatal shootings within days of each other shocked the community and sparked a number of anti-violence events throughout the month.

The first week of April was marred by violence as two young men lost their lives in the attacks.

On April 5, there was the fatal shootings of 18-year-old Laje Franklin in St David’s and on April 7, 24-year-old Che Jennings was gunned down in Warwick.

Mr Franklin’s body was discovered near the road to Clearwater Beach by a member of the public who was out exercising. The shooting marked the fifth confirmed firearms incident of the year.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Antoine Daniels said: “We’ve come to a time now where we have to move away from turning on each other and we have to actually turn to each other to provide support in these very challenging and difficult times.”

Then Mr Jennings was killed in a shooting at Warwick Workmen’s Club. The incident happened just after an Easter event that was attended by about 100 children and their families.

In response to the spate of violence, police pledged to operate at “surge capacity” that following weekend. Mr Daniels said: “This will create a noticeable increase in patrols, visibility and engagement, particularly in those areas that have been affected by antisocial behaviour, firearms incidents and other violence.”

Sports clubs and community stakeholders gathered at the North Village Community Club in Pembroke to address conflict and promote peace. The Bermuda Football Association produced banners saying #OneTeam and a “peace tree” was planted.

Pastor Dean Smith said the island faced a dilemma with gun crime. He said: “This is certainly a blight on both communities and the island.

“While these events are tragic, we are often at a loss for words when it comes to describing the effect and the impact they have on families, on the neighbourhood … It is alarming and everyone is concerned.”

Imagine Bermuda also organised an event, Pause for Peace, held at Devonshire Recreational Club.

In this month, David Burt shored up his Cabinet with the appointment of Michael Weeks as national security minister and Vance Campbell as tourism minister.

Mr Burt retained the finance ministry.

Also, the fire service launched a recruitment drive for new firefighters to boost an emergency service that has struggled with a lack of staff and equipment. The call for 11 new members of the service was opened.

Finally, a mural designed to highlight the achievements of Olympic gold winner Dame Flora Duffy was unveiled. The world champion triathlete’s parents Maria and Charles Duffy attended the unveiling of the mural on the front of the General Post Office in Hamilton, and were joined by artists Kendra Earls and Shanna Hollis, as well as Ernest Peets, the former culture minister.