Assistant Commissioner of Police Antoine Daniels – “Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen of the media. I am here to provide a brief overview of the Bermuda Day holiday weekend’s key incidents. I ask you in advance if you can save any questions you may have until the end.

I recognise there may be many questions regarding the tragic stabbing death at Horseshoe Bay on Bermuda Day.

Please be mindful that an 18 year old man has now been charged before the courts, thus it is limited what information police can share.

Stabbing Murder of 20-Year-Old Zijae Jones

I begin this afternoon by expressing sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of 20-year-old Zijae Jones, whose life was tragically cut short on Bermuda Day. As previously reported in the local media: -

About 3.15pm Friday 24th May 2024, police responded to a group of men fighting at Horseshoe Beach in Southampton Parish.

On arrival, they observed the victim 20-year-old Zijae Jones (pictured) being treated by persons at the scene, before being conveyed to hospital by ambulance, where he was pronounced deceased later that afternoon.

Police commenced a full investigation and arrested two men a short time later.

As you would have seen by now an 18-year-old man was charged before the courts this morning on suspicion of causing Mr. Jones’ murder.

I take this opportunity to thank all of those persons who have thus far come forward and provided a statements and/or other information to the police.

However, police are still seeking to speak with additional persons who are believed to be in possession of key information regarding this murder investigation.

Additionally, those in possession of video footage, we ask again please do not circulate, but instead make contact with us so that we can retrieve it.

Anyone with any information is asked to make contact with Acting Inspector Anneka Donawa on 717-2250, or email her at adonawa@bps.bm.

There’s also the option of calling the BPS on 211 or speaking with a police officer you know. Alternatively, there is the confidential Crime Stoppers hotline 800-8477 (TIPS).

Front Street Stabbing

Earlier on Bermuda Day police attended an initial stabbing incident.

About 7:54am officers responded to a report of a stabbing outside of Pier 6, Front Street, in Pembroke Parish.

A 22-year-old male victim was conveyed to hospital by ambulance after receiving a cut to his head with an unknown bladed weapon.

On scene police officers received information that an unknown female had stabbed the victim prior to their arrival and had left the scene.

The victim was treated for none-life threatening injuries at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, before being released.

Investigations are ongoing with police making attempts to locate the suspect.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police Detective Sergeant Seymour Foote at telephone number 717-2282, email sfoote@bps.bm, call the BPS 211 line or speak with a police officer you know.

Alternatively, there is the confidential Crime Stoppers hotline on 800-8477 (TIPS).

Recovery of a Firearm

At 11:10pm on Thursday 23rd May 2024, officers were on patrol in the area of Cambridge Road, Sandys Parish when they observed persons flee on foot after seeing police.

The officers made a search of the general area, resulting in the recovery of a firearm.

The weapon is being forensically processed and test fired to establish if it is operational.

The men made good their escape out of the area.

The Serious Crime Unit are continuing investigations into this firearm recovery.

Major Damage Collision – North Shore Road, Pembroke

At 8.13am on Friday 24th May 2024, police responded to a report of a collision involving two trucks on North Shore Road near the junction with Stepney Lane, Pembroke.

Initial reports were that the driver of the water truck was trapped inside and the other truck was on fire. The water truck driver was assisted getting out of the vehicle.

Both parties were conveyed to hospital where they were treated for relatively minor injuries.

North Shore Road was closed while the scene was processed by Traffic Collision Investigators and the Forensic Support Unit.

The scene was cleared after being processed and the debris removed from the roadway.

Overview<

There were 19 arrests made by police over the Bermuda Day holiday weekend, including 5 for impaired driving.

There were also 3 other incidents over the weekend involving bladed articles, resulting in two further victims being treated at the hospital and released for non-life threatening injuries.

Since 2020, there have been 84 incidents reported to police involving bladed instruments, with 87 resulting in injury.

In 2023, there were 25 bladed weapons incidents, and 16 thus far this year with less than 5 months completed. There have been 31 arrests for bladed articles thus far in 2024, with 58 having been made last year (2023).

This is not a new phenomenon and if active steps are not taken to arrest this type of behaviour, this can become an epidemic.

Police continue to take proactive steps in an effort to reduce bladed article incidents, whether exercising our legislative powers of stop and search, under 315F of the Criminal Code, PACE etc.; providing education and awareness to our local communities; as well as increasing patrols in targeted areas.

What is certain is we cannot do it alone and need the support of the entire community and all of our key stakeholders.

Persons carrying bladed articles for protection should note that not only is this unlawful, but they are more likely to use the bladed instrument, should they be targeted.”