PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti –Two journalists, Markenzy Nathoux and Jimmy Jean, were tragically shot and killed on Tuesday in an attack by gang members while covering the reopening of a hospital in Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti.
The assault took place at the State University of Haiti Hospital, and the attackers were identified as members of the “Viv Ansanm” coalition, a gang known for their violent actions. Robest Dimanche, spokesperson for the Online Media Collective, confirmed the incident.
Other journalists were wounded in the shootout and are being treated at another clinic, Dimanche added.
The State University of Haiti Hospital, also known as General Hospital, had been closed since February after being attacked by members of the same gang coalition responsible for the recent shooting. On Tuesday, as the hospital was being reopened, assailants from the “Viv Ansanm” gang launched an armed attack, opening fire on the clinic.
Initial reports indicate that several journalists, including Markenzy Nathoux and Jimmy Jean, were injured during the attack. Local news outlet Gazette Haiti shared photos of wounded individuals lying on the hospital floor, while Radio Tele Gelaxie also reported that multiple journalists had been hit by gunfire.
Leslie Voltaire, the president of Haiti’s transitional ruling council, condemned the attack, calling it “unacceptable.” He extended his condolences to the victims’ families and the police and journalist associations. Voltaire assured that the authorities would take action, stating that the attack would not go unpunished.
The shooting on Tuesday is part of a broader pattern of escalating violence in Port-au-Prince, where gang activity has been on the rise. Just last week, the “Viv Ansanm” gang set fire to the Bernard Mevs hospital in the capital, causing significant damage to the facility, though fortunately, no one was injured in the blaze.
The Tuesday shooting, which targeted journalists covering the reopening of the State University of Haiti Hospital, highlights the growing insecurity in the city. Attacks by armed gangs have been increasing across several neighborhoods in Port-au-Prince for more than a month, further contributing to the turmoil in the already beleaguered nation. This violence has deepened the crisis in Haiti, with the safety of both civilians and professionals being increasingly threatened.
