In a horrifying eruption of violence that has stunned both locals and tourists, the Caribbean paradise of Turks and Caicos was rocked early Sunday by the first mass shooting in its history — a brazen attack that left three people dead and 10 others wounded at a nightclub on the island of Providenciales.

“What is happening here is unlike anything we’ve ever seen before,” said Premier Charles Washington Misick, visibly shaken during a national address. “This is not a situation we should accept.”

The violence unfolded at a popular nightlife hotspot in the early hours of July 21, when four gunmen opened fire on a packed crowd in what police now suspect was a targeted gangland-style assault. “It was a war zone,” one witness told local media, describing patrons diving for cover as bullets ripped through the dance floor. “You don’t come to Grace Bay expecting to hear gunshots. This isn’t supposed to happen here.”

Police Commissioner Fitz Bailey confirmed that no arrests have been made but said a $10,000 reward is now on the table for information leading to the attackers’ capture. “This was deeply disturbing,” Bailey told reporters. “We will not rest until those responsible are brought to justice.”

Authorities believe the violence is tied to escalating gang activity — particularly within parts of the Haitian migrant community — as the island nation struggles with a surge in illegal firearms and drug trafficking.

“We are now seeing a gangland-type slaying,” Misick stated. “We know these guns aren’t manufactured here. Someone is bringing them in. And we need help — especially from the Haitian community — to find out who and how.”

Officials say at least nine of the ten injured suffered gunshot wounds. Some victims were treated locally under tight security while two critically injured patients were airlifted overseas for advanced medical care. Providenciales Hospital went into full lockdown Sunday to prevent further violence.

The shooting has raised fresh fears about safety on an island known for its crystal-clear waters and upscale resorts — a favorite getaway for wealthy Americans. Grace Bay Beach, often ranked among the world’s most beautiful, was just miles from the crime scene.

The attack comes as Turks and Caicos officials ramp up enforcement against illegal immigration, especially from neighboring Haiti, whose nationals now make up roughly a third of the island’s total population. According to UN data cited by CBS, more than 10,000 Haitians live in the territory — the majority concentrated in Providenciales.

Acting Governor Anya Williams issued a stark warning: “We must work together. This is not just a police issue. It’s a national crisis.”

While authorities have yet to confirm a motive, investigators are combing through surveillance footage and local leads. Police believe the shooters had planned the assault in advance — and may have ties to transnational gangs operating in the region.

“It’s time to admit what we’re dealing with,” one island official said anonymously. “This isn’t random. This is organized violence, and it’s come to our doorstep.”

Locals are rattled, and tourists are on edge. Meanwhile, the small island chain known for tranquility is now grappling with a terrifying question:

If it can happen here — where’s safe anymore?