Three young men have been killed in the Turks and Caicos Islands, in what authorities are calling the British territory’s first mass shooting in recent history.
A further 10 people were injured in the incident at a popular nightspot on Providenciales, the archipelago’s main island, early on Sunday.
At least four suspects were involved but there have not yet been any arrests, police commissioner Fitz Bailey said – as he labelled the incident “deeply disturbing”.
The territory’s premier, Charles Washington Misick, said at a news conference: “What is happening here is unlike anything we’ve ever seen before. This is not a situation we should accept.”
He likened the incident to a “gangland-type slaying” and said the “gang violence” appears to be linked to Turks and Caicos’ Haitian communities.
Mr Misick called on the Haitian community to cooperate with police, claiming some of them know how guns are being smuggled to Turks and Caicos.
The hospital in Providenciales was on lockdown to protect those being treated for their injuries, acting governor Anya Williams said.
At least two of the people injured were flown overseas for further treatment, she added.
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Turks and Caicos – a British Overseas Territory – is around 300km (186 miles) north of Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
It is home to an estimated 10,900 Haitians, representing a third of the population.
Around 80% of Haitians live in Providenciales and 20% have permanent residency, according to the United Nations humanitarian affairs office.