News

HAMILTON, Bermuda, Thursday December 27, 2012 - The Bermuda government says the shooting death of a 20-year-old man on a golf course shows the Overseas British territory is "in the grip of a national tragedy".

Premier Craig Cannonier, whose One Bermuda Alliance won a tense general election last Monday, said that such acts will only end with a "profound community effort".

Police said that Malcolm Augustus was gunned down on St George's golf course shortly after midnight on Christmas Day -- Bermuda's fifth gun murder of the year.

A 24-year-old man is assisting police with their investigations.

Cannonier, who visited Augustus' family with National Security Minister Michael Dunkley, said in a statement that the circumstances surrounding the murder “have shocked and saddened all of Bermuda.

“I urge all Bermuda to remember this family in our prayers and do all we can to bring this community together. The government regards such acts with extreme concern and will move with urgency to follow through on its commitment to put in place programmes to stop the shootings.

“We simply cannot continue to have young men getting shot to death. The shootings destroy families, weaken communities and violate the very spirit and promise of Bermuda. The Christmas Day shooting reminds us we are in the grip of a national tragedy that will require a profound community effort to end."

Dunkley said that the killing underscored the importance of having the community work together to end violence.

“Like the Premier, I ask everyone to remember this grieving family in their thoughts and prayers. They will need our support."