At least 47 people were killed and more than 22 wounded after armed gang members opened fire inside a church sheltering displaced families in Kenscoff, Haiti, on Sunday night.
Breitbart, citing Haitian newspaper Le Nouvelliste, reported that members of the violent 5 Segonn gang attacked the church in the hillside community overlooking Port-au-Prince. Kenscoff Mayor Jean Massillon told AFP that some victims were killed “execution-style.”
“The bandits raided a displaced persons camp located in a church,” Massillon said. “They executed several people. There are fatalities and dozens of wounded. Some people were abducted by the criminals.”
Gang leader Johnson “Izo 2” Andre reportedly claimed responsibility for the massacre. He later shared a video showing nearly 20 hostages, including children, and threatened to kill them if law enforcement moved against his fighters.
“If one of my dogs or one of my soldiers is killed, these people will be killed,” Andre said, according to Le Nouvelliste.
Haiti’s government placed security forces on high alert and deployed reinforcements throughout Kenscoff. Officials vowed that those responsible would receive “neither a truce, nor refuge, nor impunity.”
“The government stands firm,” the prime minister’s office said. “Kenscoff will not be abandoned. Haiti will not be left at the mercy of bandits. The Republic will prevail.”
Order Jonathan Cahn’s New Book, “The Altar of Pergamon” on Amazon.com!
The church massacre comes amid worsening violence in Kenscoff, where gangs are fighting for control of territory overlooking the capital and major routes into Pétion-Ville.
As Christians, we grieve with the families whose loved ones were taken from them in such a horrific act of violence. Let us pray for God to comfort every grieving heart, heal the wounded and bring the hostages safely home. May He protect the people of Haiti and restore peace throughout this suffering nation.
James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a journalism background from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and at the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected].
