“It's total panic”: Two journalists and a police officer killed by gangs during an attempt to reopen a hospital in Haiti

On Tuesday, December 24, 2024, a gang-orchestrated shootout claimed the lives of two journalists and a police officer. The incident occurred during a violent attempt to reopen one of the main hospitals in Port-au-Prince, the Haitian capital, located in an area dominated by armed groups.

Two journalists and a police officer were killed Tuesday in a gang-orchestrated shootout during a bloody attempt to reopen one of the main hospitals in Port-au-Prince, the Haitian capital, in an area plagued by armed groups that rule the roost.

“Markenzy Nathoux and Jimmy Jean were killed this Tuesday, December 24, during the attack by bandits from the 'Viv ansanm' (Living Together) coalition at the time of the reopening of the HUEH hospital (University of State of Haiti)”, Robest Dimanche, spokesperson for the Online Media Collective (Cmel), told AFP.

Other journalists are injured and are being treated in another public hospital in Delmas, in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area, he said.

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A police officer was also killed, Haitian National Police (PHN) deputy spokesman Lionel Lazarre told AFP, confirming press reports but without providing details or a toll.

According to initial reports, gang members opened fire to prevent the reopening ceremony of the HUEH, also known as the General Hospital. Many journalists were present to cover the event.

The hospital had been closed since February 29, after being attacked by members of the coalition gangs “Viv ansanm”.

“The events that occurred today (Tuesday) at the General Hospital, where journalists, police officers and members of the population are victims are unacceptable”, reacted Leslie Voltaire, the president of the Haitian Presidential Transitional Council.

Spiral of violence

“We send our sympathies to the families of the victims and particularly to the police and journalists' associations. We give them the assurance that this attack will not remain without consequences”, he added.

Numerous images of the injured, waiting, covered in blood, for help in the hospital, circulated during the day on social networks.

“Journalists injured during an armed attack by the bandits of 'Viv Ansanm' against HUEH this Tuesday 24. The Minister of Public Health had announced the reopening of the hospital before Christmas. Journalists and other press workers […] inside the building. It's total panic in the city center“, indicated on X Gazette Haiti.

“Bandits are currently attacking the General Hospital. According to initial reports, several journalists have been hit by gunfire”, also reported on X Radio Télé Galaxie.

The gang coalition “Viv ansanm” set fire last week to the private Bernard Mevs establishment, another major hospital in Port-au-Prince, destroying a large part of the hospital, but without causing any casualties.

Haiti, a poor Caribbean country, is faced with endemic violence from armed gangs and political instability. Tuesday’s attack comes amid growing insecurity in Port-au-Prince, where gang attacks have been taking place in several neighborhoods for more than a month.

In early December, at least 207 people were killed in attacks ordered by a powerful gang leader against voodoo practitioners, according to the UN.

The arrival this summer of a multinational mission to support the Haitian police, led by Kenya and supported by the UN and the United States, has not reduced the violence of armed groups, accused of numerous murders, rapes, looting and kidnappings for ransom.

The latter also target major buildings, and in November caused the closure of the capital airport.