Wed, 2008-03-05

Detective Chief Inspector Antoine Daniels - Officer in Charge of the Serious Crime Unit

The Bermuda Police Service (BPS) would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank all those persons who have thus far come forward and assisted with the Christmas Day and Boxing Day shooting incidents, in which 2 men were wounded and 30 year-old Southampton resident Aquil Richardson was tragically killed. The court proceedings that occurred on Tuesday represent a first-step in the pursuit of bringing to justice those persons suspected of committing these violent and cowardly acts. The BPS is extremely encouraged by the amount of assistance received from the public recently resulting in progress being made in both investigations.

Both investigations continue to progress under the leadership of Detective Chief Inspector Antoine Daniels and 2 investigation teams. Officers investigating these matters continue to receive calls from members of the public offering information regarding the shootings. In the past 2 weeks alone several witness statements containing critical information have been recorded. To date there have been in access of 150 witness statements recorded by investigators, as well as numerous positive interactions with potential witnesses and persons of interest.

Once again as the officer directly responsible for leading these inquiries, I would like to use this opportunity to thank all of those persons who have come forward and assisted officers in their pursuit of the perpetrators responsible for committing these violent and unnecessary acts. Indeed, the Bermuda Police Service’s capacity to deal with crime depends to a large extent upon its relationship with the community.

Although the Bermuda Police Service is pleased with the co-operation of the community so far, we would like to make a further appeal encouraging those individuals with relevant information about the Christmas Day and/or Boxing Day shootings, particularly eye witnesses to these events, to contact Police. In recent days there have been rumours circulating regarding threats to potential witnesses and other utterings that are both incorrect and false. Investigators from the Serious Crime Unit have identified the source of this misinformation and have taken appropriate steps to redress the situation. Police are taking these matters extremely seriously and wish to reassure the public and especially those persons that provide information that all steps will be taken to ensure their personal safety. Of course there is always a level of risk to personal safety in such matters, but the alternative is a greater risk to public safety by allowing the perpetrators to remain free to continue with their deadly violence. As I said in my previous press release, the reality of the situation is that we as a community are all in far more danger if witnesses continue to remain silent.

Anyone who has any information, whether they believe it to be significant or not, are asked to telephone 299-4315 or the confidential Crime Stoppers number at 1 800 623 8477.

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