Archive · 28 Aug 2026
Haiti Gang Attack Kills 47, Kidnaps More Than 50
Gangs attacked Kenscoff, a farming community near Port-au-Prince, late Sunday.
Police said 47 people were killed and more than 50 were kidnapped.
More than 2,600 people had to leave their homes.
A gang leader threatened to kill the hostages if police killed gang members.
Journalists asked police why they did not stop the attack.
Police said they were gathering information but did not share details about their plans.
Haiti’s police chief said an investigation would examine whether negligence or cooperation helped cause the attack.
On Thursday, the United States sent more than 50 deportees to northern Haiti.
Haiti is also facing widespread gang violence, displacement, hunger, and poverty.
A gang attack in Kenscoff killed 47 people and left more than 50 kidnapped.
Haiti’s National Police faced criticism over whether it failed to prevent the attack.
More than 2,600 people were displaced, according to the International Organization for Migration.
A gang leader reportedly threatened to execute hostages if gang members were killed.
The United States deported more than 50 people to northern Haiti on Thursday.
- Who
- Gangs, Haiti’s National Police, residents of Kenscoff, and more than 50 kidnapped people were involved; the United States also deported more than 50 people to Haiti.
- What
- A gang attack killed 47 people, kidnapped more than 50, and displaced more than 2,600 people; police faced questions over security failures.
- When
- The attack was launched late Sunday, with police answering questions on Thursday.
- Where
- Kenscoff, a farming community in the hills near Port-au-Prince, Haiti; the deportation flight arrived in Cap-Haitien.
- Why
- The articles say police are investigating whether complicity or negligence contributed to the attack, but no definitive cause has been established.
Critics and Affected Residents
Police Officials
Preventing the attack
Critics and Affected Residents
Journalists and critics questioned whether authorities had gathered enough intelligence and why the attack was not prevented.
Police Officials
Police spokesperson Garry Desrosiers said authorities had been working to gather intelligence, while police chief Vladimir Paraison said an investigation would establish what happened.
Police accountability
Critics and Affected Residents
The attack prompted mounting criticism of Haiti’s National Police and questions about possible negligence or complicity.
Police Officials
Paraison defended security measures taken in Kenscoff before the attack and said the investigation would determine whether negligence or complicity was involved.
Response to kidnappings
Critics and Affected Residents
Families and the public sought information about the kidnapped people and assistance for those displaced by the violence.
Police Officials
Desrosiers said police could not publicly discuss plans concerning the hostages but said officers were working to help displaced people return home.
- Deaths in Kenscoff attack
- 47 people
- Kidnapped
- More than 50 people
- Displaced by attack
- More than 2,600 people
- Nationwide displacement
- Nearly 1.5 million people
- Reported deaths nationwide
- More than 3,050 from January through June
- Port-au-Prince areas controlled by armed men
- An estimated 70 percent
- Thursday deportation flight
- More than 50 people, including two minors