Assistant Commissioner says police mechanisms seek to get between rival factions
Continuing our coverage now of Operation Sentinel, a targeted police initiative to stem violent crime.
Assistant Commissioner Antoine Daniels provided an update for the media yesterday, and Qian Dickinson asked if retaliation to recent shootings was likely – and if so, what could be done to help prevent it?
A recent town hall meeting amplified persistent calls from the community for the violence to end. But how much is the community assisting police in their efforts to prevent serious crimes and/or arrest perpetrators?
Read full Police Statement on Operation Sentinel below:
Assistant Commissioner of Police Antoine Daniels – Good afternoon members of the media. Thank you for attending this press conference.
I have called you here today to provide a brief but important update on the Bermuda Police Service’s response to the recent surge in firearms-related violence, which has tragically resulted in five murders, along with six attempted murders or firearm-related injuries, since 1st May, 2025.
In summary:
Legends Bar Shooting
- Occurred about 10:30pm on Thursday, 1st May 2025.
- 32-year-old Jasmin Smith and 29-year-old Shaquan Williams were fatally shot.
- 3 others were shot and injured.
Court Street Shooting
- Occurred shortly before 4:40pm on Tuesday, 12th August 2025.
- 23-year-old Natrae Eversley and 18-year-old Nakai Robinson were fatally shot.
- A third man was shot and injured.
Dundonald Street/Court Street Shooting
The most recent murder being that of 37-year-old Janae Minors, who was fatally shot shortly before 5pm on Tuesday, 16th September 2025. A 24-year-old man was today charged before the courts (Monday, 6th October 2025).
After this most recent murder, the Bermuda Police Service put together an Operation named Sentinel, geared towards a more targeted approach on the key players involved in organised crime.
Main components included:
- Increased use of our lawful powers.
- Strategic surging of police numbers at certain times/days/locations.
- Stop and search in various areas in anticipation of violence.
- High visibility foot patrols, particularly on Court Street and the surrounding areas.
- Execution of multiple search warrants at residences and businesses alike, under:
- Misuse of Drugs Act.
- Firearms Act.
- Criminal Code.
- Police & Criminal Evidence Act.
Some of the data I can share:
In 2024, we experienced 19 confirmed firearms incidents resulting in 4 fatalities & 9 injuries. However in 2025, although we have basically had half the amount of confirmed firearms incidents, we have experienced an increase of an additional fatality which is concerning – 10 confirmed firearms incidents resulting in five murders, so far.
I have made this correlation previously that the accuracy and intent of the firearms suspects has unfortunately increased and improved, as we see from the data. For some perspective, in 2020, 25 confirmed firearms incidents resulted in two murders.
In terms of Operation Sentinel results to date:
We have already surpassed our stop and search results to date over 2024 – just under 1,400 (1,394) vs. 1,077 last year, averaging 8 or 9 per day.
We have seized 6 firearms so far this year, including two from a private residence in Smith’s parish last Thursday, 2nd October 2025 and two the Thursday before that, 25th September 2025, from a Court Street business.
Three persons were arrested in total, two from Court Street and one from the Smith’s residence – he will be attending court imminently.
As I stated above, a 24-year-old man was charged before the courts today (6th October 2025) for the murder of 37-year-old Janae Minors.
Two men are currently remanded in custody awaiting trial for the Legends Bar murders.
Two men remain on police bail in relation to the 12th August murders on Court Street.
There have been 80 arrests for bladed articles to date, with 19 incidents involving persons injured by bladed weapons, a reduction from last year’s total of 34, the highest on record.
Community and Officer Appreciation
I would like to thank the public for your continued support. Your assistance and cooperation are essential to our efforts – without your help, our recent successes would not be possible.
If you have information on any of these matters, call the Bermuda Police Service, or the independent and confidential Crime Stoppers Bermuda hotline 800-8477, or speak with a police officer you know.
I also want to take this opportunity to recognise and commend the dedication of our officers. Your commitment to making our community a safer place to live and work is evident in these results. You have my sincere appreciation.
