Turks and Caicos, June 26th 2017 – Providenciales – The good news is that Kevin Newman, an Alabama man who survived being shot in his abdomen early on Friday during an armed robbery along grace bay is stable. The bad news is that he lost his right kidney in the shooting where he was shot once, and is in a medically induced coma.
Newman, according to family comments published in the NY Post was out looking for his son around 1:45am on Friday when he was approached by armed bandits looking to rob him.
Police are now hunting down four men and have issued wanted posters, in connection to the case which has fuelled strings of angry commentary on social media and which has attracted the attention of popular news networks which are reporting on the crime.
Newman was here on holiday, with his family. That family, led by wife, Tiffany Newman raised money on a Go Fund Me account and had Newman medically evacuated to Broward Health Medical Center in Florida by late Friday.
The Ministry of Tourism reported that they were willing to pay for the airlift, but the fast acting family had already raised the reported $15,000.
A Tourist Board staffer stayed by the side of the family throughout the ordeal, ensuring the entire family was flown back to the US as soon as possible to be with Mr. Newman.
Tiffany Newman told ABC News, ““It caused damage to his liver, but the main issue was that it hit his inferior vena cava and right kidney vein. He lost a very large amount of blood, so he received lots of transfusion… The surgeon also had to remove his right kidney, and his left kidney function is being monitored closely. “
Up to news production time, no one was reported arrested for the crime.
The Ministry of Tourism said, “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.
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 safety, of all those on the islands, are 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. We ask that everyone cooperate with authorities as needed.”
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