us tourist killed in tci

American Tourist Murdered in Turks and Caicos Ambush Was a Beloved NAACP Leader

Kent Carter was traveling in Turks and Caicos when his shuttle was fired into “indiscriminately” by gang members, authorities said.

Josh Fiallo

Breaking News Reporter

AJ McDougall

NAACP Arlington

An NAACP leader from Arlington, Virginia, has been identified as the American who was gunned down over the weekend while he vacationed in Turks and Caicos, local authorities said.

Kent Carter was traveling back from an excursion on Sunday evening when his group was ambushed by gang members. The suspects, armed with automatic weapons, opened fire on the vehicle Carter was traveling in “indiscriminately,” authorities said.

“As a result of this attack, two persons were murdered,” police commissioner Trevor Botting said at a press briefing several hours later, “one from the local business and another being a tourist from the United States.”

Police also believe one of the gunmen was killed in the attack. After responding officers engaged in a shootout with the assailants, five others—including a police officer and an American—were noted as wounded.

Botting did not identify the victims, but the NAACP’s branch in Arlington, Virginia, said its vice president, Carter, had been killed in the attack.

“Words alone aren’t enough to say how much this hurts, how much we grieve right now,” Julius D. Spain, the branch’s president, told NBC Washington .

Spain told a Fox 5 reporter that he had spoken to Carter’s girlfriend, Alonia Williams, who said she was with him when he was fatally shot. The couple had been visiting the archipelago to celebrate his birthday, Williams said, adding that Carter had used his body to shield her in the attack.

Recent reports suggest surging gang violence in the British overseas territory of 40,000 people has become a serious issue this year, with the United Kingdom allocating £3 million ($3.3 million) to recruit 24 anti-gang detectives to the island.

Back home, loved ones have been mourning the loss of Carter, who was a real estate agent, military veteran, and father, people close to him told NBC Washington.

Robert York, Carter’s neighbor in Arlington, told Fox 5 that he was a “great, stand-up guy” and “one of the best neighbors you could have.”

The government for Turks and Caicos, which relies heavily on tourism to sustain its economy , called Sunday’s incident a “rare” occurrence that “does not reflect who we are as a people.”

“These criminals proceeded to indiscriminately shoot into the vehicle transporting the employees and tourists,” Botting said. “Our deepest condolences go out to the families of those murdered.”

The head of Turks and Caicos, Premier Washington Misick, made it a point to assure potential visitors that his island territory is a safe place to vacation.

“The TCI has long established itself as a safe destination for visitors from around the world,” a statement from Misick read in part. “Evidence of this can be seen in the countless awards the destination has won, most recently at the World Travel Awards.”

Though Botting initially said he believed Carter had been killed in a “targeted attack,” Misick clarified that Carter was not singled out specifically in the slaying.

“On behalf of the government and people of these islands, we extend our sympathies to the family and friends of the victim,” Misick said.

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Civil Rights Activist From Virginia Killed in Turks and Caicos Shooting

Kent Carter, a leader with the N.A.A.C.P. in Arlington, Va., was killed when shots were fired at a vehicle transporting tourists and employees. He was visiting for his birthday.

By Johnny Diaz

An American tourist who was a civil rights activist in Arlington, Va., was among three people who were killed in a string of possibly gang-related shootings in the Turks and Caicos Islands over the weekend, the authorities said.

At 6 p.m. Eastern time on Sunday “armed criminals” fired indiscriminately into a vehicle that was transporting tourists and employees to their hotel from an excursion, said Trevor Botting, the British territory’s police commissioner, at a news conference on Monday.

“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,” Commissioner Botting said. He said three other people, including another visitor to the islands, were also injured in the incident.

It was one of four shootings that also injured five people. Another man was believed to have been shot by police officers during gunfire, the commissioner said.

The authorities did not name the victims, but the American tourist was identified as Kent Carter, of Virginia, according to the N.A.A.C.P. in Arlington, Va., where Mr. Carter was the branch’s first vice president.

“Kent was an activist and philanthropist well known for his dedication to, and uplifting of, our community,’’ the N.A.A.C.P. said in a statement that offered condolences to his family .

Julius D. Spain Sr., the organization’s president in Arlington, said that Mr. Kent had been involved with the group for nearly 10 years and was that branch’s vice president for four years.

“He is what you would call a gentle giant, one who was very passionate about social justice and civil rights,” Mr. Spain said on Thursday.

The group added that “his civic work and volunteerism also extended throughout the broader Arlington community.”

Mr. Carter, a real estate agent, was vacationing in the Turks and Caicos Islands with his girlfriend and had arrived there on Saturday to celebrate his 40th birthday, Mr. Spain said. The British overseas territory is a popular tourist spot southeast of the Bahamas.

Commissioner Botting said in a statement earlier this week that he believed “the original attack was targeted and carried out by 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 islands.

He added, “This violence is linked to drugs supply and is fueled by revenge, turf wars and retribution.”

A spokeswoman for the police force said the investigation is ongoing. A spokesman for the State Department said on Thursday that it offered “our sincerest condolences to the family on their loss. We are providing all appropriate consular assistance.”

More than 1 million people, including Americans, visited the territory in 2019, according to one report by the tourism board of Turks and Caicos.

The government of the islands said in a statement on Tuesday that the incident “is one that is rare and does not reflect who we are as a people.”

The government added that “we extend our sympathies to the family and friends of the victim.”

Johnny Diaz is a general assignment reporter covering breaking news. He previously worked for the South Florida Sun Sentinel and The Boston Globe. More about Johnny Diaz

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American tourist vacationing in turks and caicos shot dead in ambush.

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An American tourist identified as an NAACP leader from Virginia was shot dead in an ambush in the Turks and Caicos on Sunday, police said.

Kent Carter was killed when the vehicle he was traveling in on his way back from an excursion in Long Bay was shot up by several men brandishing automatic weapons, the Arlington County NAACP confirmed to Fox 5 DC .

“These criminals began to indiscriminately shoot into the vehicle,” Turks and Caicos Police Commissioner Trevor Botting said in a recorded statement on Monday.

Another person was wounded in the ambush.

Police tracked down the suspected gunmen, and possibly killed one of them during a shootout.

The other suspects managed to flee and the search for them continues. An officer suffered serious injuries during the gun battle.

“I believe the original attack was targeted and carried out by armed gang members who act without conscience, who have no regard for life,” Botting said.

Turks and Caicos Governor Nigel John Dakin blamed Jamaican gangs for the rising crime in the territory, reported the Jamaica Gleaner.

“It remains ongoing and it will not stop, unless we stop it,” Dakin told the House of Assembly on Monday.

Turks and Caicos is a British overseas territory made up of 40 coral islands located southeast of the Bahamas in the Atlantic Ocean.

Carter, who worked as a realtor, occupied a high position at Arlington County’s branch of the NAACP and had previously led the oldest African American Masonic lodge in Virginia.

His neighbor Robert York described him as a “standup guy” and a family man.

James Morgan III, Carter’s friend and fellow Mason, mourned his death in a Facebook post.

“He did nothing to deserve this and I pray healing for his family and that these criminals be brought to justice,” Morgan wrote.

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American tourist killed, policeman shot as gang violence intensifies in Turks and Caicos Islands

US Citizen Killed in Gunfire in Turks and Caicos Islands

The american was killed sunday when people whom police described as “armed criminals” opened fire into a vehicle returning from an excursion, published october 5, 2022 • updated on october 5, 2022 at 5:41 am.

An American tourist visiting the Turks and Caicos Islands and two other people were killed in a series of shootings in the British overseas territory Sunday, police said.

The U.S. citizen, who was not publicly identified, died after people Police Commissioner Trevor Botting described as “armed criminals” fired indiscriminately into a vehicle at 6 p.m. The vehicle was returning from an excursion when the gunfire occurred. 

Another person from a local business was also killed, and three other people were wounded, Botting said at a news conference Monday. A third body, that of a man, was found later. Investigators think he was one of the attackers and that he was killed by police in a shootout, Botting said.

The government of the Turks and Caicos Islands  said  Tuesday it regretted the violence. It added that “we wish to reassure the public (citizens, resident and visitors alike) that the safety and security of all, is our top priority.”

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Virginia man killed in gunfire in Turks and Caicos Islands

An American tourist visiting the Turks and Caicos Islands and two other people were killed in a series of shootings in the British overseas territory Sunday, police said.

Virginia resident Kent Carter died after people whom Police Commissioner Trevor Botting described as “armed criminals” fired indiscriminately into a vehicle at 6 p.m., according to NBC Washington .

People who knew Carter, a father and a veteran, said he had been visiting the islands to celebrate his 40th birthday, NBC Washington reported, adding that he was the vice president of Arlington's NAACP branch and also worked as a real estate agent.

“Words alone aren’t enough to say how much this hurts, how much we grieve right now,” Julius D. Spain, the president of the NAACP branch, told the station.

"Our deepest sympathies go out to his family," the NAACP Arlington branch posted on its Facebook page. "May God grant them strength during this time of sorrow."

A State Department spokesperson told NBC Washington that it offered condolences to Carter's family and that officials are "providing consular assistance."

Another person from a local business was also killed in the shootings, and three other people were wounded, Botting said at a news conference Monday.

A third body, that of a man, was found later. Investigators think he was one of the attackers and that he was killed by police in a shootout, Botting said.

The vehicle was returning two tourists from an excursion when the gunfire occurred. Police chased the vehicle, and an officer was seriously injured in the shootout, Botting said. The suspect vehicle escaped.

Another person who went to a hospital with a head wound is thought to have been a bystander struck by shots the suspects fired during the shootout, he said.

“I believe the original attack was targeted and carried out by armed gang members who act without conscience, who have no regard for life,” Botting said.

The government of the Turks and Caicos Islands  said  Tuesday it regretted the violence. It added that “we wish to reassure the public (citizens, resident and visitors alike) that the safety and security of all, is our top priority.”

Police continued to investigate Tuesday. No arrests have been announced.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com

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TCI: US tourist among 3 killed during Sunday’s gang violence Loop Cayman Islands

Black Immigrant Daily News

The violent shooting incident on Sunday night in the Turks and Caicos Islands which occurred at Long Bay has left three persons dead and five injured. One of the deceased is an American tourist.

Commissioner of Police of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, Trevor Botting, provided a chronology of the events of that harrowing night.

He said around 6 pm on Sunday the first targeted attack occurred on a vehicle containing staff of a local business and two tourists being transported back to their accommodation after an excursion on Long Bay road – committed by armed criminals in a vehicle.

The criminals indiscriminately shot into the vehicle transporting the employees and the tourists. As a result of this attack two persons were murdered, one from the local business and the other a tourist from the United States.

Three other persons were injured including the other visitor to the Turks and Caicos.

TCI Commissioner of Police Trevor Botting

The next incident involved a police patrol car of the Royal Turks and Caicos Tactical Unit which intercepted a vehicle used by the criminals in the first attack.

Based on information received from the Command Centre the suspected vehicle was followed and tried to evade law enforcement. The criminals started shooting in the direction of the police officers with automatic weapons.

The bullets repeatedly struck the police officers’ vehicle’s windscreen and bonnet area multiple times. It also deflated two tyres of the vehicle driven by the police officers.

Commissioner Botting said despite being under fire from automatic weapons, two officers returned fire to protect themselves and their colleagues.

One officer received a serious injury from a gunshot wound. The Commissioner of Police expressed pride in the officers for standing their ground.

Based on injuries sustained throughout the shooting, and the condition of the police vehicle, the vehicle containing the criminals escaped and the officers immediately sought medical help for their seriously injured colleague.

The third incident saw a man representing himself at the hospital with a head injury. It is believed he was struck by shots discharged by the criminals in their confrontation with the police officers.

A fourth incident is being actively investigated. A report of an unidentified male body in Dockyard. The Police Commissioner said while subject to confirmation, police believe him to be one of the armed attackers who shot at police officers during the attack on the police vehicle.

Police Commissioner Trevor Botting condemned the explosion of violence on Sunday evening which he said was perpetrated by reckless armed criminals.

He believes the original attack was targeted and carried out by armed gang members who acted without conscious, who had no regard for life and were hell-bent on causing indiscriminate harm and misery across the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The Top Cop reported the violence is linked to drug supply and issued by revenge, turf wars and retribution.

He said gangs must not be allowed to destabilise the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Botting said the police force knows people are frightened by the levels of violence on the TCI over the past few months, however, he said police officers are not cowed by the violence or violent criminals.

The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force expect substantial support to be arriving in the TCI from across the region and the UK.

Botting said support will be in the shape of armed officers and investigators to assist the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force deal with the current threats.

The Police Commissioner added that he is grateful to the TCI and UK governments for their support and the government and Commissioner of Police of the Royal Bahamas Police Force for their solidarity and support.

NewsAmericasNow.com

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US tourist killed; police shot, as gang violence escalates in Turks & Caicos

A U.S. citizen vacationing in the Turks and Caicos was killed Sunday night in an explosion of gun violence that left three people dead and five others injured, including a member of the island’s Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force.

The tourist, a man, has been identified but his next of kin has yet to be informed and police are refraining from releasing his name, said Denyse Renne, a police spokeswoman.

The incident in the British Overseas Territory, which is  still recovering from last month’s Hurricane Fiona , was perpetrated by “reckless and dangerous armed criminals,” the chain’s police chief, Trevor Botting, said. It started at around 6 p.m. Sunday in the Long Bay area of Providenciales, which is known for its high-priced luxury resort and white sandy beaches but lately has been rocked by a series of gun-related killings that have left families in mourning and islanders terrified to leave their homes.

“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. “We remain strong and determined to do all they can to take the fight to the violent criminals and protect our communities.”

Botting said police believe that the latest attack, which played out in four different incidents through the evening, “was targeted and carried out by 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. This violence is linked to drugs supply and is fueled by revenge, turf wars and retribution.”

“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, offering the islands’ “deepest condolences” to the families of those killed.

Another visitor to the island also was among the three persons injured during the spree.

“Their bullets repeatedly struck the police vehicle’s windscreen and bonnet area multiple times. Bullets also deflated two tires of the vehicle driven by the officers,” the chief said. “Despite being under fire from automatic weapons, two of my officers returned fire to protect themselves and that of their colleagues. One officer received a serious injury from a gunshot wound.”

Botting called his officers’ response ”an astonishing display of courage under fire from high-powered weapons.”

The vehicle with the shooters got away. The police chief also said that a man later arrived at the hospital with a head injury. He was found at Smart Supermarket, and police believe he had been struck by shots fired by the criminals in their confrontation with police officers.

Police are also investigating a report of a body of an unidentified man found in Dock Yard in Providenciales, Botting said.

“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,” he said.

Botting said police are determined to tackle the problem head-on, and that officers are not “cowed by this violence or the violent criminals.”

In response to the ongoing spate of violence, he said, the chain is expecting to receive substantial support from across the Caribbean region and the United Kingdom in the form of armed officers and investigators to assist the Royal Turks and Caicos Police Force to deal with the threats.

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NAACP leader in Virginia county shot, killed while on vacation in Turks and Caicos

by IDA DOMINGO and TOM ROUSSEY | WJLA

WASHINGTON (WJLA) — A prominent Washington, D.C.-area realtor who was also the first vice president of the Arlington County NAACP was killed in gunfire while on vacation in Turks and Caicos, a close friend of the family tells WJLA .

The Arlington County NAACP announced Wednesday that Kent Carter died on Sunday while vacationing abroad and they are mourning the "tragic and unexpected loss."

Our deepest sympathies go out to his family. May God grant them strength during this time of sorrow," officials wrote in a Facebook post .

Carter died after "armed criminals" fired into a vehicle at 6 p.m. EDT on Long Bay Road, according to Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Commissioner Trevor Botting. Another person from a local business was also killed, Botting said at a news conference. Other people were injured, including officers.

Botting said the car that Carter was in was on its way back from an excursion and that the victims fatally struck were innocent bystanders.

Our deepest condolences go out to the family of those who were murdered," Botting said.

After firing into the first car, police said the suspects then fired into police cruisers before escaping.

The original attack was targeted and carried out by armed gang members who act without conscience, who have no regard for life," Botting said. "We know the violence was linked to drug supply and is fueled by revenge, turf wars and retribution."

The government of the Turks and Caicos Islands released a statement regarding the shooting saying its government regrets the incident:

The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) regrets the unfortunate incident involving the death of a visitor to our islands on 2nd October 2022. The incident which occurred was accidental and not one in which the victim was targeted. While the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police force (RTCIPF) continues their investigations, we wish to reassure the public (citizens, resident and visitors alike) that the safety and security of all, is our top priority.

The TCI has long established itself as a safe destination for visitors from around the world. Evidence of this can be seen in the countless awards the destination has won, most recently at the World Travel Awards. Our commitment to providing safety to residents and visitors is unwavering. The government will continue to work with local authorities including the RTCIPF and our partners in the international community to protect residents and visitors alike.

The incident which occurred on the date mentioned above is one that is rare and does not reflect who we are as a people. On behalf of the government and people of these islands, we extend our sympathies to the family and friends of the victim.

As this matter is now an on-going police investigation, further statements will be referred to RTCIPF.

The TCI remains a safe destination and the government is working assiduously for it to remain as such."

Police in Turks and Caicos are investigating the shooting and searching for the gunmen involved.

TCI: US tourist killed, police officer injured during gang violence

The violent shooting incident on Sunday night in the Turks and Caicos Islands which occurred at Long Bay has left three persons dead and five injured. One of the deceased is an American tourist.

Commissioner of Police of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, Trevor Botting, provided a chronology of the events of that harrowing night.

He said around 6 pm on Sunday the first targeted attack occurred on a vehicle containing staff of a local business and two tourists being transported back to their accommodation after an excursion on Long Bay road - committed by armed criminals in a vehicle.

The criminals indiscriminately shot into the vehicle transporting the employees and the tourists. As a result of this attack two persons were murdered, one from the local business and the other a tourist from the United States.

Three other persons were injured including the other visitor to the Turks and Caicos. 

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TCI: US tourist killed, police officer injured by criminals

Commissioner of Police of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, Trevor Botting, provided a chronology of the events of that harrowing night. 

He said around 6 pm on Sunday the first targeted attack occurred on a vehicle containing staff of a local business and two tourists being transported back to their accommodation after an excursion on Long Bay road - committed by armed criminals in a vehicle. 

The criminals indiscriminately shot into the vehicle transporting the employees and the tourists. As a result of this attack two persons were murdered, one from the local business and the other a tourist from the United States.  

Three other persons were injured including the other visitor to the Turks and Caicos.

The next incident involved a police patrol car of the Royal Turks and Caicos Tactical Unit which intercepted a vehicle used by the criminals in the first attack.  

Based on information received from the Command Centre the suspected vehicle was followed and tried to evade law enforcement. The criminals started shooting in the direction of the police officers with automatic weapons.  

The bullets repeatedly struck the police officers’ vehicle's windscreen and bonnet area multiple times. It also deflated two tyres of the vehicle driven by the police officers.  

Commissioner Botting said despite being under fire from automatic weapons, two officers returned fire to protect themselves and their colleagues.  

One officer received a serious injury from a gunshot wound. The Commissioner of Police expressed pride in the officers for standing their ground.

Based on injuries sustained throughout the shooting, and the condition of the police vehicle, the vehicle containing the criminals escaped and the officers immediately sought medical help for their seriously injured colleague.  

 The third incident saw a man representing himself at the hospital with a head injury. It is believed he was struck by shots discharged by the criminals in their confrontation with the police officers.  

A fourth incident is being actively investigated. A report of an unidentified male body in Dockyard. The Police Commissioner said while subject to confirmation, police believe him to be one of the armed attackers who shot at police officers during the attack on the police vehicle.  

 Police Commissioner Trevor Botting condemned the explosion of violence on Sunday evening which he said was perpetrated by reckless armed criminals.  

He believes the original attack was targeted and carried out by armed gang members who acted without conscious, who had no regard for life and were hell-bent on causing indiscriminate harm and misery across the Turks and Caicos Islands.  

The Top Cop reported the violence is linked to drug supply and issued by revenge, turf wars and retribution.

He said gangs must not be allowed to destabilise the Turks and Caicos Islands.  

Botting said the police force knows people are frightened by the levels of violence on the TCI over the past few months, however, he said police officers are not cowed by the violence or violent criminals.  

The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force expect substantial support to be arriving in the TCI from across the region and the UK.  

Botting said support will be in the shape of armed officers and investigators to assist the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force deal with the current threats.  

The Police Commissioner added that he is grateful to the TCI and UK governments for their support and the government and Commissioner of Police of the Royal Bahamas Police Force for their solidarity and support. 

1 Response to “TCI: US tourist killed, police officer injured by criminals”

• Steven A (12/10/2022, 12:55) Like ( 0 ) Dislike ( 0 ) Reply Catch the Criminals and kill them; they are ruining your beautiful Country. That is plain and simple, make the punishment fit the crime Death

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US tourist killed after bull elephant toppled safari vehicle in Zambia

Four others were wounded in the attack at Kafue national park, in which the animal barreled into the side of a truck

An elderly US tourist was killed and four others hurt when an aggressive bull elephant charged and toppled their safari vehicle during a game drive in Zambia .

The attack at Kafue national park, in which the large pachyderm ran from a wooded area and barreled into the side of the truck, was captured on video and posted to social media by ABC News. It identified the tourist as 79-year-old Gail Mattson of Minnesota.

Keith Vincent, executive director of the safari operator Wilderness, told the network in a statement that the elephant’s charge was unexpected, and the driver had no opportunity to escape.

“Our guides are all extremely well trained and experienced, but sadly in this instance the terrain and vegetation was such that the guide’s route became blocked and he could not move the vehicle out of harm’s way quickly enough,” he said .

“This is a tragic event and we extend our deepest condolences to the family of the guest who died. We are also, naturally, supporting those guests and the guide involved in this distressing incident.”

Wildlife officials and local police say they are investigating Saturday’s incident, which took place in the national park about 220 miles north-west of Zambia’s capital, Lusaka. Covering almost 8,700 square miles, Kafue is the country’s oldest and largest national park, and is popular with tourists for its abundance and variety of birds and animals.

Wilderness said four other guests in the vehicle were treated for minor injuries.

Family members of Mattson, who also had a home in Arizona, told Minnesota’s KSTP News that she was “living life” on the game-watching holiday. Photographs of her in a safari truck clutching a flower, taken on the day of her death, accompanied the network’s report.

John Longabauth, a friend from Arizona, told the outlet he would miss her adventurous spirit. “She had told us that this safari was going to be her last big adventure,” he said. “Because her birthday is in the summer, she was going to be 80, she felt like she would start slowing down.”

Zambia’s neighbor Zimbabwe has expressed recent concern at a growing conflict between humans and elephants from a rising elephant population, especially one that is migrating more as the climate crisis disrupts animals’ access to food, water and cover, in Africa and around the world.

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5 tourists killed in case of mistaken identity in Ecuador while 9 shot dead is separate attack: "The battle continues"

Updated on: April 1, 2024 / 7:48 AM EDT / CBS/AFP

Ecuadoran gangsters abducted, interrogated and killed five tourists, apparently thinking they were members of a rival drug gang, officials said this weekend, while a separate attack by gunmen killed nine people on the country's coast.

Around 20 attackers stormed a hotel Friday in the beach town of Ayampe in southern Ecuador and kidnapped six adults and a child, local police commander Richard Vaca said.

The abducted tourists, all Ecuadorans, were interrogated and hours later the bodies of five adults were found with gunshot wounds on a road, he said.

The assailants "apparently mistook them for adversaries" from a rival drug gang, said Vaca.

President Daniel Noboa said one person has been arrested so far in the case and the government is tracking down the rest of the attackers.

The killings "remind us that the battle continues," Noboa said on social media, along with a video of a man handcuffed and bent over, being led away forcefully by an armed police officer.

Cualquier ataque contra un ecuatoriano es un ataque al Ecuador. Lo sucedido en Santa Elena y Manabí nos recuerda que la batalla continúa. La Policía Nacional se encuentra desplegada y como resultado hemos capturado a uno de los secuestradores de Ayampe, no descansaremos hasta… pic.twitter.com/2brJHWzmhB — Daniel Noboa Azin (@DanielNoboaOk) March 30, 2024

"Narcoterrorism and its allies are looking for spaces to scare us, but they will not succeed," Noboa said.

Meanwhile, gunmen attacked a group of people in Ecuador's coastal city of Guayaquil, killing nine and injuring 10 others, police said Sunday.

The attack took place around 7 p.m. local time Saturday in the southern neighborhood of Guasmo. According to police, the armed group entered a pedestrian street in a grey Chevrolet Spark, where a group of people were practicing sports. The gunmen got out of the vehicle and proceeded to shoot people.

"So far, the result is nine people dead and 10 injured," police Col. Ramiro Arequipa told journalists around midday on Sunday.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.

Ecuador was once considered a bastion of peace in Latin America, but in recent years has seen a surge in violent attacks.

Noboa declared a state of emergency in January, which provides for permanent operations by a security force made up of police and military. In addition, a five-hour curfew is in force in high-incidence areas such as Guayaquil.

That month, Noboa also gave orders to "neutralize" criminal gangs after  gunmen stormed and opened fire  in a TV studio and bandits threatened random executions of civilians and security forces.

Since then, the military has been  deployed in the streets  and taken control of the country's prisons, where a string of gang riots in recent years has left hundreds killed.

The violence has continued since the state of emergency.

Just last week, the 27-year-old mayor of a small town - also in the province of Manabi - was killed along with her collaborator. Brigitte Garcia and Jairo Loor were found inside a vehicle with gunshot wounds.

One of Garcia's last posts on  social media , where she touts herself as the nation's youngest mayor, was about a new project to bring water to her municipality.

"Together, we're building a brighter future for our community," she  wrote .

On Thursday, a riot in a Guayaquil prison under military and police control left three inmates dead and four injured.

Ecuador surpassed a rate of 40 violent deaths per 100,000 inhabitants at the end of 2023, one of the highest in the region, according to police.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Elderly American tourist killed after elephant attacks vehicle in Zambia, reports say

An American tourist was killed after an "aggressive" bull elephant attacked the vehicle on March 30 during a tour in Zambia, according to media reports.

The tourist, identified only as an 80-year-old American woman, was injured when an "aggressive" elephant charged a vehicle carrying six guests and a guide in Kafue National Park in Zambia, according to a statement provided to multiple outlets including NBC News and People . She was part of a group staying at the Lufupa Camp and had gone out for a photography tour.

Zambia is a landlocked country located in southern Africa, bordered by countries including Zimbabwe, Democratic Republic of Congo and Tanzania.

Another woman who was injured was taken to a private hospital in South Africa, conservation and safari company Wilderness told multiple outlets. Four other people also received treatment for minor injuries.

Video shared on social media by ABC News shows the moment the elephant charged, with images showing later that the vehicle had been flipped on its side.

"The six guests were on the game drive when the vehicle was unexpectedly charged by the bull elephant," Keith Vincent, Wilderness' chief executive officer, said in a statement to ABC News. He added that the safari guide's vehicle was "blocked" by the terrain at the time of the attack.

The woman's body will be returned to her family in the U.S., Wilderness said in the statement to media.

USA TODAY has contacted Zambia police and Wilderness for more information.

Charging elephant kills an American woman on 'bucket list trip' in Zambia

An American woman who was on what she had called her "last big trip" was killed when a charging elephant flipped over the car she was traveling in at a national park in Zambia .

The “aggressive” creature buffeted the vehicle carrying six tourists and a guide, tour operator Wilderness said in a statement Tuesday. It said the 79-year-old victim died after Saturday's incident on a game drive at the Kafue National Park in western Zambia.

The company did not name the victim but Rona Wells, her daughter, identified her as Gail Mattson in a post on Facebook. She said her mother died in a “tragic accident while on her dream adventure.”

A video circulating on social media apparently showing the incident shows a large elephant running toward a car, which slows down as the animal approaches its left side. The elephant then flips the vehicle over and the passengers can be heard gasping as the car rolls over.

NBC News does not know the condition or identity of the person who filmed the video.

Photos shared online of the car, which is emblazoned with the logo of the tour operator, show it tipped onto its side after the incident, with a deep dent in two of its side doors.

Wilderness, which describes itself as a “leading conservation and hospitality company” operating in eight African countries, including Zambia, did not respond to NBC News when asked to confirm the authenticity of the video and the photos.

But the tour operator’s CEO, Keith Vincent, said in the statement that the company’s “guides are all extremely well trained and experienced.”

"Sadly in this instance the terrain and vegetation was such that the guide’s route became blocked and he could not move the vehicle out of harm’s way quickly enough,” he added.

Another woman was also injured in the incident and taken to a medical facility in South Africa, the Wilderness statement said, adding that four others were treated for minor injuries.

“It’s extremely rare to see an elephant that irate,” Marlon du Toit, a wildlife photographer and safari guide, told the “TODAY” show Thursday. “Across Africa, there are thousands and thousands of guests on safari on a daily basis with no negative consequences.”

The exact cause of Mattson’s death was unclear, but the company said her body would be repatriated to her family in the United States with the support of local Zambian authorities and the U.S. Embassy in the capital, Lusaka.

“This is a tragic event and we extend our deepest condolences to the family of the guest who died,” the statement added.

NBC News has reached out to Mattson's family for further comment.

Kafue National Park is Zambia’s largest and oldest national park, according to its website, and spans an area of more than 8,000 square miles. Vast regions of the park remain unexplored and the website says it is home to a variety of untamed wildlife.

A 'bucket list trip'

Mattson spent her winters in Sun City West, Arizona, playing bridge and cards, but during the rest of the year, she "travels all over the world," her friend Brenda Biggs told NBC News. Biggs and her husband, John Longabauth, became friends with Mattson when they moved to the area 6 ½ years ago.

Longabauth said Mattson spoke to the couple about her upcoming safari trip about two weeks ago, and called it "one of her bucket list trips." He said she was very excited for the adventure.

Before she left, she gave the couple concert tickets for a show that would happen while she was traveling, telling them to enjoy the concert and "I'll see you when I get back," Longabauth recalled of the conversation.

Biggs said Mattson, who was almost 80 years old, told her that the African safari was her "my last big trip." She said Mattson was "super excited because it was like the culmination of all the trips that she had gone on."

An avid traveler, Mattson took to trips to Europe and Asia, Longabauth recalled, noting that she might have been to South America, too.

Biggs called her friend "flamboyant," "friendly" and "fabulous" and said she loved bright colors. Mattson had taken over Biggs’ job as the event planner for their 200-member bridge club, she said.

"Gail was one of the more up people you'd ever want to meet," Longabauth said. "She was always up. She was always optimistic. She was always seeing the good side of everybody."

Yuliya Talmazan is a reporter for NBC News Digital, based in London.

Rebecca Cohen is a breaking news reporter for NBC News.

Tourist from Minnesota who was killed by an elephant in Zambia was an adventurer, family says

Family members described an American tourist who was killed in Africa when a bull elephant charged the truck she was riding in as an adventurer

MINNETONKA, Minn. -- Family members described an American tourist who was killed in Africa when a bull elephant charged the truck she was riding in as an adventurer who loved to travel.

They identified her as Gail Mattson, 79, of Minnetonka, Minnesota. She was with other tourists on a game drive in a Zambian national park when the animal charged, flipping over the vehicle and killing her, a safari company said Thursday. The attack also injured five others on March 30 in Kafue National Park, which at 8,600 square miles (22,400 square kilometers) is one of Africa’s largest animal reserves.

"Sadly she lost her life in a tragic accident while on her dream adventure," her daughter, Rona Wells, said in a Facebook post.

Her son, Blake Vetter, told the Star Tribune of Minneapolis that “this is more than about a little old lady that got killed by an elephant. She lived an extraordinary life” while raising two children by herself.

According to the safari company Wilderness, the “aggressive” bull elephant unexpectedly charged at the truck, which was carrying six guests and a guide on a morning excursion through wild areas.

Vetter told the newspaper his mother loved adventure trips to China and other destinations. She was a mortgage company loan officer before she retired at 55. She split her time between the Minneapolis and Phoenix areas and golfed three to four times a week, he said.

“We were going to skydive when she got back,” Vetter said.

While many wildlife parks in southern Africa teem with dangerous animals like elephants and lions, it's rare for such a charging attack to occur.

Keith Vincent, CEO of the safari company, said the terrain made it impossible for the vehicle to get away.

“Our guides are all extremely well trained and experienced, but sadly in this instance the terrain and vegetation was such that the guide’s route became blocked and he could not move the vehicle out of harm’s way quickly enough” he said.

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Tragedy Strikes American Tourist Killed in Elephant Attack on African Safari

I n recent news, a harrowing incident has shaken the tranquil landscapes of Zambia’s wilderness, as an American tourist lost her life in a devastating encounter with a bull elephant during a safari expedition. The incident, which unfolded on Saturday, March 31, cast a shadow over what was meant to be a picturesque photography tour through the heart of Africa.

The victim, an 80-year-old woman whose identity remains undisclosed, was part of a group of six tourists organized by Wilderness Zambia. Their journey turned fatal when a 5-ton bull elephant charged at their safari vehicle, unleashing chaos and tragedy in its wake.

The terrifying moment was captured on video, immortalizing the sheer force of nature as the elephant mercilessly flipped the vehicle, leading to catastrophic consequences. Despite the efforts of experienced guides, the unanticipated aggression of the elephant proved insurmountable, resulting in irreparable loss.

As the dust settled and the severity of the situation became apparent, one woman succumbed to her injuries, while another was left hospitalized. The remaining members of the group, fortunate to escape with minor injuries, were confronted with the grim reality of mortality in the unforgiving wilderness.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, Wilderness Zambia CEO Keith Vincent expressed profound sorrow over the incident, emphasizing the rigorous training and expertise of their guides. Despite their best efforts, the treacherous terrain and dense vegetation impeded their ability to avert disaster swiftly.

Prompt response from the management of Kafue National Park saw a helicopter dispatched to evacuate the victims, yet the gravity of the situation lingered. The somber task of repatriating the deceased woman’s body to the United States now occupies the forefront, as arrangements are made to bid farewell to a life tragically cut short.

The incident has cast a pall over the idyllic surroundings of Lufupa Camp, situated within Africa’s largest game reserve. Managed by African Parks, this sanctuary of biodiversity stands as a testament to the delicate balance between humanity and wildlife, a balance disrupted by the unforeseen brutality of nature.

As the world grapples with the sobering reality of this loss, questions arise regarding the safety protocols and measures in place to mitigate such risks in the realm of ecotourism. While the allure of experiencing nature’s wonders up close remains undiminished, the need for enhanced vigilance and preparedness is undeniable.

In the wake of this tragedy, a poignant reminder echoes through the vast expanse of Africa’s wilderness – that amidst its breathtaking beauty lies an inherent unpredictability, demanding both reverence and caution from those who tread its hallowed grounds.

As the sun sets on another day in the savannah, the memory of the American tourist lost to the untamed wilderness serves as a solemn tribute to the fragility of life and the enduring power of nature’s awe-inspiring majesty.

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80-year-old American tourist killed in elephant attack during game drive in Zambia

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HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — A bull elephant charged a truck that an 80-year-old American was riding in with other tourists on a game drive in a Zambian national park, flipping over the vehicle and killing her, a safari company said.

The attack injured five others on March 30 in the vast Kafue National Park , which covers 22,400 square kilometers (8,600 square miles) and is one of Africa’s largest animal reserves.

According to the safari company Wilderness, the “aggressive” bull elephant unexpectedly charged at the truck, which was carrying six guests and a guide on a morning excursion through wild areas.

It wasn’t clear what upset the bull. But in a video widely circulated online, the pachyderm is seen menacingly charging through the bushy terrain toward the tourists’ vehicle. A man is heard shouting “hey hey hey,” in apparent but futile efforts to scare it away. It reaches the truck and flips it over using its trunk.

Another female tourist was seriously injured and flown by helicopter to South Africa for treatment while the rest were treated for minor injuries, the company said.

“This is a devastating incident for everyone involved and we are doing our best to support the family and all affected,” Tarryn Gibson, the safari company’s head of communications told The Associated Press on Thursday. Gibson did not identify the tourist who was killed, and said her family wished for privacy. The company also asked people to not share the video of the attack online.

While many wildlife parks in southern Africa teem with dangerous animals like elephants and lions, such incidents are rare, although they sometimes do occur with fatal consequences due to the unpredictability of wild animals.

Keith Vincent, chief executive officer of the safari company, said rough terrain minimized chances of an escape.

“Our guides are all extremely well trained and experienced, but sadly in this instance the terrain and vegetation was such that the guide’s route became blocked and he could not move the vehicle out of harm’s way quickly enough” he said.