愛污传媒

Skip to main content

Haiti police probe killings of parishioners who were led by a pastor into gang territory


A barricade blocks off half of an entrance for vehicles, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Saturday, June 3, 2023. The blockade was erected by the Bwa Kale movement, an initiative to fight gangs seeking to take control of their neighborhood. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos) A barricade blocks off half of an entrance for vehicles, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Saturday, June 3, 2023. The blockade was erected by the Bwa Kale movement, an initiative to fight gangs seeking to take control of their neighborhood. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
Share
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti -

The director of Haiti's National Police vowed Monday to hold accountable those who encouraged hundreds of parishioners to take up machetes and sticks over the weekend to try and rid a community of gang members, only to be fatally shot by them.

Police Chief Frantz Elbe said the group's religious leader, identified as Marcorel Zidor, participated in the protest Saturday and was accompanied by unidentified people clad in olive green carrying assault rifles as they and the parishioners marched toward the community of Canaan.

Elbe said the group drew gunfire from gang members, and that "multiple" people were killed and several kidnapped, though he did not provide numbers.

He said police were trying to recover the bodies of those killed in Canaan, a community established north of the capital by survivors of the country's devastating 2010 earthquake. The community is controlled by a powerful gang whose leader goes only by "Jeff," and who is an ally of another gang known as "Five Seconds."

Police said in a statement that they had tried to convince the religious group to stop their plan "to avoid a carnage by criminals who have an arsenal of war." Elbe noted that the group had not notified police about the protest as required, and that officers were unable to halt the crowd partly because it had split up into two groups.

"Police did everything to stop them," he said at a news conference, calling the event a "tragedy."

Zidor, the pastor, could not be immediately reached for comment. An Associated Press team visited the church on Monday, but its big metal gates were closed, and no one responded to requests for entry.

Tranquil Florant, a 32-year-old homeopathic doctor who is a member of the church, told the AP that the pastor announced plans for the weekend march on Thursday during an all-night prayer.

"This was really a crazy idea," Florant said, adding that he didn't participate. "People have to make good judgements."

He arrived Monday at the church after hearing that families of victims were going to gather there, but he found no such gatherings. Shooting broke out shortly afterward, scattering people in the area.

Elbe stressed that police are trying to "neutralize" gangs, which are estimated to control up to 80 per cent of the capital, Port-au-Prince.

"These gangs are burning people's houses and creating panic. But we are fighting night and day to stop them and push them back," he said.

From Jan. 1 until Aug. 15, more than 2,400 people in Haiti were reported killed, more than 950 kidnapped and another 902 injured, according to the United Nations.

In addition, more than 300 people have been killed by a violent civilian movement known as "bwa kale" that began in April and targets suspected gang members.

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Elections BC released its first partial results of the final count in B.C.'s 2024 provincial election Saturday afternoon, and the data shows NDP candidates gaining in some tight races.

Huntsville OPP and the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) are conducting a homicide investigation after three individuals were found dead in a Huntsville neighbourhood Friday evening.

Angela Salvatore had been away from her father's hospital bedside for just over an hour when she says she got a frantic call from a nurse, pleading with her to calm him down.

Ontario Provincial Police say a 16-year-old has been charged with second-degree murder after a 15-year-old was found dead at a home in Perth, Ont. Friday afternoon.

Canadian Ryan James Wedding finished in 24th place in the parallel giant slalom at the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City, but the snowboarder wouldn鈥檛 go on to improve his results in Torino four years later.

A veteran Ottawa journalist is firing back against what he says are "entirely false" claims by a former Conservative cabinet minister that he acted as a Russian agent.

Local Spotlight

A new resident at a Manitoba animal rescue has waddled her way into people's hearts.

Hundreds of people ran to the music of German composer and pianist Beethoven Wednesday night in a unique race in Halifax.

He is a familiar face to residents of a neighbourhood just west of Roncesvalles Avenue.

A meteor lit up our region's sky last night 鈥 with a large fireball shooting across the horizon over Lake Erie at around 7:00 p.m.

Residents of Ottawa's Rideauview neighbourhood say an aggressive wild turkey has become a problem.

A man who lost his life while trying to rescue people from floodwaters, and a 13-year-old boy who saved his family from a dog attack, are among the Nova Scotians who received a medal for bravery Tuesday.

A newly minted Winnipegger is hoping a world record attempt will help bring awareness for the need for more pump track facilities in the city.

A Springfield, Ont. man is being hailed a 'hero' after running into his burning home to save his two infant children.

Hortense Anglin was the oldest graduate to make her way across the platform at York University's Fall Convocation ceremony this week. At the age of 87, she graduated with an Honours degree in Religious Studies.