On October 3, a tragic and alarming event unfolded in the northwest region of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, when gang members indiscriminately opened fire on civilians, resulting in at least 70 deaths and displacing approximately 3,000 residents. In response to this escalating crisis, the Haitian government has deployed a specialized police unit aimed at combating gang violence.
In a statement reported by Al Jazeera, Thameen Al-Kheetan, a spokesperson for the United Nations Human Rights Office, detailed that the attack occurred in the early morning hours in Pont Sonde, roughly 100 kilometers from Port-au-Prince. It was reported that members of the Gran Grif gang utilized automatic rifles to shoot into a crowd, tragically claiming the lives of at least 70 people, which included around ten women and three infants.
The United Nations also reported that at least 16 individuals sustained serious injuries during the assault, including two gang members who were subsequently shot by police. The violence was accompanied by extensive property destruction, with at least 45 homes and 34 vehicles set ablaze.
Reacting to this heinous event, a spokesperson for UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed shock and condemned the attack on October 4.
The Gran Grif gang’s leader confirmed the assault, framing it as an act of retaliation against civilians who, he claimed, remained passive during the killings of his gang’s members by police and security forces.
Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry voiced his outrage on the social media platform X, declaring, “The heinous crime targeting defenseless women, men, and children is not just an attack on the victims; it is an attack on the entire Haitian nation.” He further noted that the security forces are ramping up their defenses in the affected region. The Prime Minister’s office has confirmed that the Haitian National Police will “intensify efforts” and that a “Temporary Anti-Gang Unit” has been established.
Haiti has been battling deep-rooted political turmoil and gang-related violence for years. According to the United Nations Human Rights Office, gang violence has claimed the lives of 3,661 people in Haiti just this year.
