Fatal shooting at Haiti hospital as armed men open fire

Armed individuals in Haiti initiated gunfire, resulting in the deaths of at least three people. The incident occurred during a briefing intended to mark the reopening of the nation’s largest public hospital, targeting journalists, police personnel, and medical staff. Reports indicate that two journalists and a police officer were fatally shot, with additional individuals sustaining injuries, during the assault on Tuesday at the general hospital located in the capital city of Port-au-Prince. The hospital premises had been reclaimed by the Haitian government in July, following its occupation and destruction by gang groups. The Viv Ansanm gang alliance, which exerts control over a significant portion of the city, has claimed responsibility for the attack. Online images reportedly depict multiple individuals either injured or deceased within the facility. The gunfire commenced as journalists awaited the arrival of Health Minister Lorthe Blema. Robest Dimanche, spokesman for the Online Media Collective, informed AFP news agency that journalists Markenzy Nathoux and Jimmy Jean lost their lives in the assault. He further stated that other journalists sustained injuries. Police spokesman Lionel Lazarre confirmed to AFP that an officer was also among the fatalities. Dieugo André, a photojournalist who observed the violence, was quoted by The Haitian Times as saying: “It felt like a terrible movie.” He added: “I have the blood of several injured journalists on my clothes.” In an online video where it claimed responsibility for the attack, the Viv Ansanm gang alliance asserted that it had not sanctioned the reopening of the hospital, which it had occupied and destroyed in March. Leslie Voltaire, who leads Haiti’s presidential transitional council, stated: “We express our sympathy to all the victims’ families, in particularly to the Haiti National Police and all the journalists’ associations. “We guarantee them that this act will not remain without consequences.” The population of Haiti continues to endure extreme levels of gang violence, notwithstanding the establishment of a new transitional government in April and the deployment of an international contingent, spearheaded by Kenyan police officers, half a year prior. Haiti has experienced a surge in gang violence since the 2021 assassination of then-President Jovenel Moïse. Approximately 85% of Port-au-Prince remains under the control of gangs. The United Nations reports that up to 5,000 individuals have been killed in violence across Haiti this year alone, with the nation now facing imminent collapse.