American tourist shot dead in gang violence spree in Providenciales, TCI

A U.S. tourist was killed Sunday night in a gang shooting spree in Providenciales that left three dead and five injured, including a police officer.

Gang shooting in Providenciales kills American tourist and two others

A U.S. citizen on holiday in the Turks and Caicos Islands was shot and killed on Sunday evening during a wave of gang violence in Providenciales that left three people dead and five injured, including an officer of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force. Miamiherald.com reported the incident as one of the most serious outbreaks of gun violence the British Overseas Territory has seen in recent months.

The American victim, a man, has been identified by police but his name has not been released pending notification of next of kin, police spokeswoman Denyse Renne said.

Shooting spree across four incidents

Police Chief Trevor Botting said the violence unfolded across four separate incidents beginning at around 6 p.m. in the Long Bay area of Providenciales — a district known for its luxury resorts and white-sand beaches that has increasingly been shaken by gun killings in recent months.

According to Botting, the spree began when armed criminals travelling in a vehicle opened fire indiscriminately on another vehicle carrying staff from a local business and two tourists who were returning to their accommodation after an excursion. Two people were killed in that initial attack: one local worker and the American tourist.

"As a result of this attack, two persons were murdered, one from the local business and the other being a tourist from the United States," Botting said in a statement, extending the islands' "deepest condolences" to the victims' families. A third visitor to the island was among the injured during the broader spree.

Officers shot at with automatic weapons

When a police tactical unit attempted to intercept the suspects' vehicle following the first attack, officers came under fire from automatic weapons. "Their bullets repeatedly struck the police vehicle's windscreen and bonnet area multiple times. Bullets also deflated two tires," Botting said. Despite the sustained fire, two officers returned shots to protect themselves and their colleagues. One officer sustained a serious gunshot wound.

Botting described his officers' conduct as "an astonishing display of courage under fire from high-powered weapons." The vehicle carrying the shooters escaped.

A man later arrived at hospital with a head injury after being found at Smart Supermarket in Providenciales. Police believe he was struck by shots fired during the confrontation between the criminals and officers. Police are additionally investigating the discovery of an unidentified man's body at Dock Yard in Providenciales. "While subject to confirmation, we believe this to be one of the armed attackers who was shot by police officers during the attack on the police vehicle," Botting said.

Gang violence linked to drugs and turf wars

Botting characterised the attack as targeted gang violence rather than random criminality. "This violence is linked to drugs supply and is fueled by revenge, turf wars and retribution," he said, adding that the perpetrators were "armed gang members who act without conscience, who have no regard for life and who are hell-bent on causing indiscriminate harm and misery across the TCI."

The incident was described by Botting as the work of "reckless and dangerous armed criminals" operating in a territory still recovering from Hurricane Fiona, which struck the previous month.

"We know our communities are shocked and frightened by the levels of violence on the TCI in the last few months. The levels of violence would challenge a police force many times the size of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force," Botting said.

Reinforcements expected from Caribbean region and UK

In response to the sustained violence, Botting said the territory is expecting significant outside support. Armed officers and investigators from across the Caribbean region and the United Kingdom are expected to be deployed to assist the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force.

Botting said his officers are not "cowed by this violence or the violent criminals" and remain committed to confronting the threat directly.

Source: Google News TC — Crime