Gang members killed around 40 displaced people in church attack near Haiti’s capital

On the night of 24 August 2026, a gun attack in Kenscoff, the hill town overlooking Port‑au‑Prince, left an estimated forty displaced people dead inside a church that had been used as a refuge. The violent assault unfolded when local gang members stormed the church, opening fire indiscriminately on people seeking sanctuary.^[1]

Victims and Missing

Eyewitness accounts place the death toll at about forty, though no official confirmation has yet been issued. In addition to those killed, several persons are still missing, with responders searching for survivors among the rubble.^[1]

Mayor’s Statement

Mayor Massillon Jean described the event as a “night of terror,” adding that the attack took place on Sunday night and that it targeted a place where displaced residents had taken shelter.^[1]

Context of Displacement

The church where the killings occurred had been appointed a temporary refuge amid ongoing displacement in the region, a situation exacerbated by past violence and natural disasters that have pushed many people to seek safety in neighboring communities.^[1]