Hundreds Gather in Haiti to Mourn Victims of Devastating Gang Attack

POLICY WIRE — Port-au-Prince, Haiti — A large crowd assembled at a church near Haiti’s capital on Sunday to honor four of the 47 individuals who perished in a recent, exceptionally violent gang assault. This event has deeply affected a nation long plagued by violence.

As the coffins were brought into the church in the agricultural community of Kenscoff, mourners were seen wiping tears, raising their hands, and crying out.

Pastor Jean Robert Dorlus expressed gratitude to those who showed solidarity with the bereaved families. He stated, “God will open a space to receive them.”

The attack on Kenscoff, a once-peaceful area near Haiti’s capital, resulted in the deaths of at least 47 people and the kidnapping of over 50 others. Following negotiations with community leaders and UNICEF, the assailants released six children and seven women.

This incident stands as one of the largest mass kidnappings in Haiti in recent years. Survivors have organized protests, accusing the police of failing to prevent the attack, which has shattered the perception of improving security in the troubled Caribbean nation.

Gang violence has led to the displacement of nearly 1.5 million people across Haiti. According to U.N. statistics, more than 3,050 people were reported killed from January to June.

Inside the church, attendees swayed to gospel music, with some wailing and their shoulders shaking. The church was so crowded that many had to stand outside, looking through the windows to pay their respects to those being buried: a mother, father, their son, and a 70-year-old man who was set on fire by the gang members.

Yvon Marleus, a Kenscoff resident who lost a cousin in the attack, described the victims as respected members of the community. He accused the police of not acting in time to prevent the massacre.

Haiti’s National Police have initiated an investigation to determine the circumstances of the attack and whether it was due to complicity or negligence.

Outside the church, civilians armed with automatic weapons stood guard, prepared to defend against any potential new gang attacks, with police officers stationed nearby for support.

Jean Calixte Juste, a Kenscoff resident, survived the attack by chance. He recounted, I almost died. I almost fell into a ravine running. This is the worst and most terrible night I’ve ever experienced.

Although he did not know the four individuals whose funerals were held on Sunday, he wanted to honor their memories.

The timing of funerals for the other victims remains uncertain.

On Sunday, Pope Leo XIV condemned the massacre, expressing his prayerful closeness to the victims and their families and calling for the immediate release of all hostages. He urged those responsible to commit to ensuring the safety of the population and ending all forms of violence.

Marta Hurtado, a spokesperson for the U.N. Human Rights Office, revealed that approximately 150 heavily armed gang members were involved in the August 23 attack. They initially killed 13 people who attempted to flee and then pursued 50 others who had sought refuge in a church. After forcing them out, they executed 22 individuals in the church courtyard and 12 others behind the church.

Dozens more were injured, and over 2,600 people were left homeless. Armed groups are estimated to control around 70% of Port-au-Prince and large areas in Haiti’s central region, with attempts to expand their territory into Kenscoff.

Juste, one of the residents, declared, I’m ready to leave. Because after this, I don’t think we’re going to survive another big attack.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)