Bermuda has turned into a violent country. Statistically, that is what our homicide numbers are portraying us as. Our murder rate per capita is higher than Canada, Britain, and most countries in Europe.
In memoriam of the 61 people who have lost their lives to violence on the island since 2001, Antonio Belvedere and Dr. Gina Spence hosted a virtual vigil on Wednesday, April 28. The event was held via Facebook Live and started at 8 p.m.
Since 2001, 61 people have lost their lives due to gun violence in Bermuda. In memoriam of these victims and their families, Antonio Belvedere will be hosting a virtual candlelight vigil via Facebook this evening beginning at 8 p.m.
A grief-stricken family who lost a loved one to violence was struck another blow when they were evicted from their home this week.
Her words crackling with heartfelt loss and emotion over great loss and grief, the devastated wife of recent murder victim Jordan Outerbridge encouraged anyone with information regarding the circumstance of her husband’s killing to step forward and relay such to the police.
The island’s first gun murder victim of 2021 was named yesterday as Jordan Outerbridge, a father and husband, shot in Warwick as he walked home from a card game.
Mr Outerbridge, 37, was leaving a house ahead of the curfew when he was shot several times in the chest just after 10.30pm on Tuesday.
Detective Superintendent Nicholas Pedro said he was attacked near the junction of Ord Road and Tribe Road No. 2.
Mr Pedro said the victim was fired on by a gunman wearing a blue-hooded jacket, who jumped on the back of a waiting motorcycle.
He added: “The rider of that motorcycle was described as wearing all dark clothing, and both were wearing helmets dark in colour.”
Police are investigating possible links between the attack and the head-on collision of two motorcycles at about the same time close by on Middle Road, Warwick, near the entrance to Belmont.
Two men were in hospital yesterday for serious injuries after the crash.
One, aged 44, was found with gunshot wounds to his torso.
Mr Pedro emphasised police were looking at possible connections to the shooting.
He added: “We haven’t ruled that out. It’s part of the lines of inquiry, so we are also interested in speaking to anyone who may have information in regards to that.”
Mr Pedro said the victim, who worked at the communications firm Link Bermuda, was “well known and loved among his colleagues and family”.
There were no signs of robbery as a motive and police have not rule possible links with the shooting on March 30 in St George’s that injured a 22-year-old Pembroke man.
Asked if the incident might be a case of mistaken identity, Mr Pedro said: “We are looking at all possibilities and with the information that has been obtained by the investigating team.
“There are a few hypotheses in play and we are working with the evidence.”
He added that police did have concerns about potential retaliation attacks and police have also not ruled out a potential gang connection.
“We are working with the friends and acquaintances of Mr Outerbridge to try and quell that,” Mr Pedro said. “Obviously with anything like this, tempers and emotions get really high and that is always a concern.”
He said high-visibility patrols were keeping watch in the areaand officers were going door-to-door to collect information and ease tensions.
Renée Ming, the Minister of National Security, called for the public to assist with any possible information.
Ms Ming said: “The family, loved ones and friends of the victim are foremost on our minds today as we process another shooting incident that has taken the life of another man.
“I extend my heartfelt condolences to each of them.
“As we grapple with this tragic event, I am urging anyone with any information to please contact the police.”
Ms Ming said the island has “much healing and mending to do”.
She added: “At the end of the day we are in this together, and we need to work together.“
Rolfe Commissiong, a former Progressive Labour Party MP whose home was close to the shooting, said his wife had heard the attack.
“She heard shots and sirens,” Mr Commissiong told The Royal Gazette. “It’s pretty quiet today, but people are shocked.
“But I think it’s a combination of being shocked and a sense of resignation. In these communities all up and down Bermuda, it’s not the first time.”
Mr Commissiong added: “We don’t know the cause of this. Frequently we default to the position that this is another example of gang violence.”
He said the driving factors behind the violence plaguing many marginalised black communities had not changed in decades.
“You could get rid of the Mirrors or the Gang Intervention programme tomorrow, and it would have no impact on the things we’ve been seeing. What we need to do is focus on the underlying causes driving this violence.”
He cited rising income disparity, the need for a living wage, lowering the cost of living, universal healthcare and other “family-first policies”.
“It means focusing on getting structural changes in place that will bring relief to economically vulnerable households.”
Michael Dunkley, the Shadow Minister of National Security, offered “deepest sympathy” to the Outerbridge family.
Mr Dunkley said: “One can only imagine how painful and difficult it is for the family to lose a loving father and husband and for the Ord Road community to mourn the loss of a well liked and respected man.”
He said the One Bermuda Alliance appealed for anyone with any information to “speak up and help”.
“All too often horrific and very tragic murders have sadly ruined the lives of family, and their friends, throughout our community.
“The pain is deep and it never wanes. We must do all we can to bring the perpetrators to justice and stem the tide of tragedy.”
Police urged anyone able to assist to call the main police number, 295-0011 or the independent and confidential Crime Stoppers number, 800-8477.
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The coronavirus pandemic heightened grief for families who had lost loved ones – whether from Covid-19 or other causes, an expert said yesterday.