An American tourist was robbed and shot near his resort in the Turks and Caicos Islands Friday.
According to ABC News, Keven Newman of Alabama was vacationing with his wife and son in the Grace Bay area of Providenciales when he was shot in the abdomen shortly before 2 a.m. local time.
Newman was airlifted to the U.S. after receiving initial treatment at a local hospital.
"It caused damage to his liver, but the main issue was that it hit his inferior vena cava and right kidney vein," Newman's wife Tiffany said in a statement via ABC News. "He lost a very large amount of blood, so he received lots of transfusions yesterday. The surgeon also had to remove his right kidney, and his left kidney function is being monitored closely. "
Newman is said to be in serious condition, and his family has raised more than $23,000 through a GoFundMe campaign to pay for his medical expenses, according to People. He will be transferred from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to a hospital closer to home in Atlanta.
Police have yet to make any arrests and are encouraging visitors to the popular Caribbean destination to be vigilant.
"The shooting of the visitor to the Turks and Caicos Islands is condemned, and my team are working tirelessly to identify those responsible and bring them to justice. I know this incident will cause concern in the community," Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force acting commissioner Trevor Botting said in a statement via ABC News.
"We need our communities' eyes and ears to help us keep the islands safe. I would ask that people remain alert and vigilant but not alarmed."
"We are shocked and saddened regarding the incident that occurred on one of our islands, in the early morning of June 23, involving a visitor to the destination. He and his family continue to be in our thoughts and prayers while doctors continue to monitor his recovery," the Turks and Caicos Islands Ministry of Tourism said in a statement. "A criminal act, whether against a resident or visitor, is never something taken lightly and there is a heightened and concentrated effort to identify the individual(s) responsible."
"The Turks and Caicos Islands are a popular and peaceful destination known for its pristine beaches and relaxed atmosphere and this type of occurrence sends a ripple through the entire community," the ministry added. "The safety of all those on these islands is always our top priority and remains as such. The Ministry of Tourism is in complete cooperation with our acting police commissioner who has increased visible security."
Although statistics are limited, Visit Turks & Caicos Islands estimates that approximately 40-50 non-home invasion armed robberies are committed against residents and visitors in a given year. As of 2015, the U.S. State Department considers crime to be "relatively low" in the Turks and Caicos.
Tourists are encouraged to avoid isolated areas on Providenciales as well as walking along the roads late at night.
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