Haiti gang attack kills ~40 displaced people in church near Port-au-Prince

A gang attack on Sunday night in Kenscoff, a suburb in the hills above Port‑au‑Prince, left roughly 40 displaced residents dead, a local mayor said on Monday. The victims were sheltering in a church when gunfire erupted, the mayor, Massillon Jean, described the event as a “night of terror.”

Mayor Jean confirmed that the killings were carried out by gang members, though the specific group was not named. He added that several people remain missing, and local authorities are conducting a search. The incident follows a pattern of violence that has plagued the region, with displaced communities often seeking refuge in churches and other public buildings.

The tragedy underscores the ongoing security crisis in Haiti’s capital area, where gang activity continues to threaten civilian safety. Local officials have called for heightened protection for vulnerable populations while investigations into the perpetrators are underway.