As the economy becomes worse here in the DR, I fear that incidents like this will increase. I can't help but notice that a lot of the businesses in town seem slow or dead. I've seen numerous businesses shut down since I arrived. The DR is heavily dependent on tourism, and the EU is in a major economic crisis and the USA has a "unofficial" unemployment rate of 23%. That means less people are flying down here which means less money for the locals, businesses closing, etc. This means people here get desperate and those of us who are perceived as having money are targets. It is best NOT to look like you have money.
Unfortunately, if you have pale White skin, it is impossible for you not to look like you have money. If you're not brown or black you're a "rich gringo" who may be targeted as the economy here deteriorates. I've been saying for years that the world is heading into another major depression and the 2008 crisis was just the beginning. Hang in there folks, we're all in for a bumpy ride. Even my own businesses have been hit by the crisis, thank goodness I saved, invested, and managed my money well while times were good. Anyway, what happened to Gina was a horrible tragedy and I don't wish that on anyone. Being stabbed to death especially is a gruesome way to go.