47 Killed in Armed Gang Attack, Government and Police Respond

At least 47 people were killed and 22 others injured in an attack by armed groups in a residential area of Kenscoff, a hillside region overlooking the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince. The attack occurred in the early hours of Monday (24/8/2026) and sparked anger among residents because the location was not far from a police station.

The United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti said the death toll was still an estimate and could change as data collection continues. The Haitian human rights group RNDDH estimated that around 30-40 people were killed and 15-20 others injured in the attack, which began around 10.30 pm local time.

Kenscoff is a strategic area because it overlooks several routes leading to Port-au-Prince. The area has experienced about a dozen armed group attacks since last year, forcing thousands of residents to flee their homes.

Armed groups belonging to a large alliance have for years strengthened their influence in the Haitian capital and expanded their territory into surrounding areas. This has continued despite efforts by several foreign countries to help strengthen Haiti’s understaffed and under-equipped police force.

Kenscoff residents are now demanding government accountability and calling for the local police chief to be removed. They believe the authorities failed to protect residents, especially since the attack took place only minutes from the police station.

The Haitian Prime Minister’s office described the attack as heinous and promised to strengthen security in Kenscoff.

“Kenscoff will not be abandoned. Government authority will be restored, without weakness and without delay,” the prime minister’s office said in a statement on social media, as reported by Reuters.

Violence in Kenscoff has actually been ongoing since early 2025. In a series of attacks over two months during that period, more than 260 people were killed and around 200 homes were destroyed or burned. According to UN estimates, around 3,000 residents were forced to flee the area.

Since then, nearly a dozen more attacks have occurred. The violence has included rape, kidnapping, arson, and livestock theft.

Coriolan Kendy, a resident, said his family was among the victims of the latest attack. He made the statement while standing near the body of his cousin, which lay on the road covered by a bloodstained cloth.

“My family is the victim. The people of Kenscoff are suffering and the government must be blamed,” Kendy said.

Another resident, who only gave his name as Orisme, also called for government support. He said the people of Kenscoff felt humiliated because the series of attacks continued without adequate protection.

“We live in humiliation and they do nothing for us,” he said, while asking for support from the prime minister.

Several residents said dozens of police officers tried to confront the armed group that night. Some police officers were reportedly injured in the effort. Residents also said they did not find any armed group members among those killed.

Local media reported that several homes were burned in the attack, including the home of Jean William Pape, a prominent public health expert in Haiti.

Haitian National Police Chief Vladimir Paraison denied that the authorities had given up in the face of the attack. During a visit to Kenscoff after the incident, he said police continued to hold their ground against the armed groups.

“The police never surrender,” Paraison told reporters.

Kenscoff holds an important position because it overlooks the route to Petion-Ville, an area that is home to several embassies, upscale hotels, and the temporary seat of the Haitian government. The area is also near the main road connecting Port-au-Prince with southern Haiti.

The latest wave of violence has heightened concerns about Haiti’s ability to hold elections in December. The election would be the first in a decade after previous governments repeatedly postponed polls due to the growing influence of armed groups.

Meanwhile, the UN-backed Gang Suppression Force, which has a mandate to help Haitian police fight armed groups, is targeting a capacity of more than 5,500 personnel by autumn this year.

A spokesperson for the force did not immediately respond when asked whether troops would be deployed to strengthen security in Kenscoff.