The U.S. State Department issued a level 2 travel advisory for the Turks and Caicos Islands as thousands of Americans head to the destination for Spring Break.
Americans are warned to ‘exercise increased caution’ in the Turks and Caicos Islands due to crime.
The State Department advised crime occurs in Providenciales – the main island in the archipelago – and the local police have limited investigatory resources.
The agency recommended travelers avoid walking alone and at night, do not open your door unless you know the person and do not try to resist any robbery attempt.
In January, a Chicago sheriff’s deputy was killed in freak incident while vacationing on the island.
Shamone Duncan, 50, was at Aziza Restaurant & Lounge in Providenciales when a shooting broke out around 10pm.
Deputy Duncan jumped up while everyone else crashed to the ground and she was struck by a stray bullet and killed.
The State Department also reminded travelers about the British Overseas Territory’s strict gun laws, a year after five Americans were arrested for bringing ammo into Turks and Caicos.
Americans are warned to ‘exercise increased caution’ in the Turks and Caicos Islands due to crime
‘Firearms and ammunition, including single bullets brought by mistake in carry-on bags or luggage, are illegal,’ the advisory said.
‘Police strictly enforce these laws even at the airport when travelers are leaving. Travelers face arrest, jail time, and heavy fines.’
The State Department said offenders can face 12 years or more in prison and they cannot guarantee an American’s release.
They advised Americans check their luggage and hand baggage carefully for bullets or firearms before leaving the United States.
Oklahoma father Ryan Watson, 40, was arrested in April with firearms offenses after four loose bullets were found at the country’s main airport on a vacation with his wife and friends.
He was stuck on the island for months until a judge sentenced him to a 13-week suspended jail sentence and a $2,000 fine in June.
Sharitta Shinese Grier, 45, was arrested in May after ammunition was found in her luggage during a routine security check.
She was sentenced July 11 to a suspended 23-week sentence and fined $1,500, reported CNN.
Shamone Duncan (pictured), 50, was at Aziza Restaurant & Lounge in Providenciales when a shooting broke out around 10pm
Bryan Hagerich was released in May after being held for over 100 days on a possession of firearms charge after loose bullets were allegedly found in his luggage last February.
He was sentenced to a suspended 52-week sentence with a fine of $6,700 for possessing guns and ammunition.
Tyler Wenrich, 31, was charged on April 23 after two 9mm bullets were discovered at a security checkpoint as he tried to get back on a cruise ship following a beach day.
He was arrested by the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force and was expected to be sentenced for over a decade.
But a Turks and Caicos judge instead ordered Wenrich to pay $9,000 and serve three weeks of prison time, which has already been covered by the time he served before he was released on bail in May.
Michael Lee Evans, 72, pleaded guilty to possession of seven 9 mm rounds of ammunition and got a suspended 33-month sentence in April.
He was granted $20,000 bail and given permission to return back to the U.S following his arrest due to a medical condition, with reports indicating he is suffering from terminal cancer.
All of the Americans said they simply forgot to take the ammo out of their bags before traveling.
Sharitta Grier (center), Ryan Watson (left) and Bryan Hagerich (right) all faced ammo charges and were unable to return to the US
Additionally, in February a Canadian was attacked by a shark while snorkeling along the Turks and Caicos shores.
The woman, 55, was mauled by a shark on February 7, 2025, while swimming in the Turks and Caicos Islands that resulted in the loss of both her hands.
The tourist was snorkeling off Providenciales when she was attacked by a 6-foot shark, believed to be a bull shark.
Contrary to initial reports suggesting she was attempting to photograph the predator, her family clarified that the encounter was unprovoked.
During the attack, the shark bit her thigh before severing her hands as she tried to defend herself.
Her husband bravely intervened, fighting off the shark and helping her reach the shore. Bystanders provided immediate first aid, using towels to stem the bleeding.
She was transported to Cheshire Hall Medical Centre and later airlifted to Canada for further treatment where she reportedly had one of her hands amputated at the wrist and the other mid-way down her forearm.
But despite the severity of her injuries, she is expected to survive.
The family launched a GoFundMe campaign to assist with medical expenses, which raised nearly $16,000.
