Gang assault on Haitian church shelter leaves dozens dead, mayor reports
Armed groups attacked a church in Kenscoff, a hillside town near Port-au-Prince, on Sunday night, killing roughly 40 displaced people sheltering there, according to the local mayor. The assault also wounded dozens and included abductions, with some victims reportedly executed. Authorities have pledged to send reinforcements to the area, which has seen escalating gang violence for months.
The attack began around 10:30 p.m. local time, with the UN's Integrated Office in Haiti reporting the death toll at 47 and more than 22 wounded as of Monday, though officials cautioned the figure could rise. The human rights group RNDDH initially estimated 30 to 40 killed before the count climbed. Kenscoff has endured roughly a dozen gang assaults since last year, with an earlier wave in early 2025 leaving over 260 dead, 200 homes burned, and 3,000 residents displaced.
Residents expressed fury that police stationed nearby failed to intervene effectively, with some demanding the local police chief resign. National police chief Vladimir Paraison defended officers during a visit, insisting they "never gave up." The prime minister's office pledged to restore government authority in the area. Local media reported several structures torched, including the home of prominent public health expert Jean William Pape.
This attack may deepen the sense of abandonment among Haitians already displaced by chronic gang violence, potentially fueling further distrust of state institutions and international stabilization efforts. Communities in hillside areas like Kenscoff could face renewed displacement waves, straining already limited humanitarian resources. The government's promised security response may be tested against the gangs' demonstrated reach, and regional neighbors could see increased pressure as more Haitians flee. The psychological toll on residents living minutes from a police station yet left unprotected could erode civic confidence for years.