Haitian leader Leslie Voltaire condemned the "unacceptable" shooting in Port-au-Prince, which also resulted in the death of a police officer. He highlighted that gangs now control approximately 85% of Haiti's capital city.

At least two journalists and a police officer were shot dead in the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince on Tuesday during an attack by gang members on a hospital, according to a local media collective and authorities.

The journalists were covering the reopening of Haiti's largest public hospital when the attack took place. The State University of Haiti Hospital, which had been closed since February 2024 after being attacked by gang members, was scheduled to reopen on Christmas Eve. However, as members of the media gathered for the opening, members of a street gang opened fire.

Robest Dimanche, spokesperson for the Online Media Collective, confirmed that journalists Markenzy Nathoux and Jimmy Jean were killed “during an attack by bandits from the coalition 'Viv Ansanm'” at the State University of Haiti Hospital, also known as General Hospital. Other reporters who were wounded in the shootout were being treated at a nearby clinic, Dimanche added.

The Haitian Association of Journalists confirmed the deaths of the two journalists and stated that seven reporters had been wounded in what they described as “a macabre scene comparable to terrorism, pure and simple.”

The Haitian National Police also confirmed that a police officer was killed in the attack but did not provide additional details.

Local media reported that the attack sparked scenes of total panic in the city center, with images of wounded people lying on the hospital floor circulating on social media. Live-streamed videos from inside the hospital showed people huddling on the hospital floor while bullets flew past them. Some individuals in the videos were seen bleeding from bullet wounds.

Leslie Voltaire, the president of Haiti's transitional ruling council, called the shooting “unacceptable.” He extended his sympathies to the families of the victims, particularly the police and journalist associations, and assured them that the attack would not go unpunished. “We send our sympathies to the families of the victims, and particularly the police and journalist associations. We assure them that this attack will not stand without consequences,” Voltaire stated.

Haiti has been plagued by brutal gang violence in recent years, with gangs controlling much of the capital and other parts of the country. Despite efforts to restore order, including the deployment of Kenyan police as part of a multinational protection force, little progress has been made. It is reported that street gangs now control some 85% of the capital city. These gangs have previously targeted airports, prisons, and clinics, and they have been involved in multiple attacks on public facilities.

The same gang, Viv Ansanm, had attacked a clinic just a week prior. Although no one was injured in that attack, the premises were severely damaged.

In early December, street gangs massacred approximately 200 people, described as “voodoo practitioners,” according to the United Nations and a local NGO. Voodoo is officially recognized as a religion in Haiti, on par with other religions practiced in the country.