KENSCOFF — Armed men attacked the community of Kenscoff late on Sunday, killing at least 47 people and kidnapping more than 50 others. The assault, which included the burning of 25 homes, was attributed by local officials to members of the Viv Ansanm gang coalition.

Kenscoff Mayor Jean Massillon identified the attackers as part of the coalition, which the United States has designated as a foreign terrorist organization. Massillon stated that two government employees were among those killed, including his cousin who served as his security detail. At least five of the 47 victims were children.

Gang members targeted a church and homes in the area, including properties owned by Dr. Jean William Pape. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres noted that 22 of the victims were reportedly executed in a church compound where they had sought shelter. Guterres condemned the attack on Tuesday.

“The relentless gang attacks on communities and the loss of lives show the alarming security conditions in Haiti,” said U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres. The violence occurred as Haiti prepares for general elections scheduled for December 13, which will be the country's first in more than a decade.

A gang leader identified as Izo 2 issued threats via video during the attack, warning Vladimir Paraison, director of Haiti’s National Police, against using drones to repel gangs in the area. “Paraison, if any of our soldiers are hurt, I will kill all of them,” said the gang leader in a video. Izo 2 is also known as Didi and leads the armed group in Kenscoff on behalf of and in coordination with Johnson André, also known as Izo, who is one of Haiti’s most powerful gang members.

Haiti’s government issued a statement condemning the attack and stating that reinforcements were being deployed. “Kenscoff will not be abandoned,” the Haiti government said in a statement. Haiti’s National Police issued a statement saying Director Vladimir Paraison ordered an investigation into the attack and deployed additional specialized units to the area.

Kenscoff Mayor Jean Massillon stated it was still impossible to establish a definitive death toll due to access difficulties and communication problems. Viv Ansanm has repeatedly targeted Kenscoff, which occupies a strategic position overlooking routes into Petion-Ville.

Romain Le Cour, head of the Haiti Observatory at the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, characterized the event as a critical challenge for state authority. “This is a major political and security test, for the government, for the police and for the international mission alike,” said Romain Le Cour. María Fernanda Arocha, a researcher with the nonprofit Armed Conflict Location & Event Data, noted that security operations had reduced violence in Kenscoff by 66% between January and August 2026 prior to the attack.

Timeline

The first major attack on Kenscoff occurred in January 2025. Nearly 800 rapes were reported in Haiti from April to June 2026, with 87% representing collective rapes, according to the U.N. On August 23, 2026, Robert Jean, a Kenscoff resident, said he heard shooting before dawn and tried to wake people to escape. Also on August 23, 2026, farmer Mathurin Pierre, 41, said he lost 14 loved ones in the attack.

On August 23, 2026, Marc Paul, 42, a Kenscoff resident, said gangs kidnapped his brother, stepmother, stepfather, and two cousins. Paul said his 16-year-old niece was kidnapped and raped but escaped and reunited with him. On August 23, 2026, a gang leader said in a video, “Paraison, if any of our soldiers are hurt, I will kill all of them.”

What's New

Additional reporting has provided further details on the human cost and strategic context of the assault. Paul, 42, a Kenscoff resident, said gangs kidnapped his brother, stepmother, stepfather, and two cousins.

Robert Jean, a Kenscoff resident, said he heard shooting before dawn and tried to wake people to escape.

María Fernanda Arocha is a researcher with the nonprofit Armed Conflict Location & Event Data.

Why It Matters

The attack on Kenscoff occurs against a backdrop of widespread instability, with armed men controlling an estimated 70% of Port-au-Prince. Gang violence has displaced 1.5 million people across Haiti. More than 3,100 people were reported killed in Haiti from January to June 2026, according to U.N. statistics. The U.N.-backed gang suppression force has not yet reached its full capacity of 5,500 members.

The timing of the violence is significant as Haiti is scheduled to hold general elections on December 13. These will be Haiti's first general elections in more than a decade. The scale of the attack, involving dozens of deaths and kidnappings, tests the capacity of state institutions and international partners to secure the country ahead of this pivotal political event.