Haiti Gang Massacre In Kenscoff Kills 47 And Kidnaps Over 50
Armed gangs massacred at least 47 people and abducted more than 50 in Kenscoff, Haiti, on August 23, leaving hostages threatened and prompting a U.N. outcry.[1]
U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres said 22 of the 47 victims were reportedly executed inside a church compound where they had sought shelter.[1] A gang leader who identified himself as "Izo 2" posted a social media video threatening to kill all hostages if any gang members were hurt by security forces and named National Police Director Vladimir Paraison.[1] A local resident, Marc Paul, said gangs kidnapped his brother, stepmother, stepfather, two cousins and a 16-year-old niece who was raped but escaped and reunited with him.[1]
Johnson André, known as Izo, is the powerful gang boss for whom "Izo 2", also called "Didi", leads the Kenscoff armed group.[1] Security analyst Romain Le Cour called the attack "a major political and security test" and said gangs may be trying to stretch limited security resources and send a message ahead of Haiti's Dec. 13 general elections.[1]
The killings have intensified fears that gangs can overrun towns and challenge Haiti's fragile security institutions.[2] U.N. officials and Haitian authorities face pressure to respond as families seek news of the missing.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- The United Nations said more than 50 people were kidnapped and at least 47 were killed during the August 23 Kenscoff attack, according to reporting by NPR.
- António Guterres, the U.N. secretary-general, said 22 of the 47 victims were reportedly executed in a church compound where they had sought shelter.
- A gang leader identifying himself as Izo 2 posted a video on social media threatening to kill all hostages if any gang members are hurt by security forces and named National Police Director Vladimir Paraison.
- Romain Le Cour, a security analyst with the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, called the August 23 attack "a major political and security test" and suggested gangs may be trying to stretch limited security resources and send a message ahead of the Dec. 13 general elections.
- Le Cour said Johnson André, known as Izo, is the powerful gang boss for whom 'Izo 2' (also called 'Didi') leads the Kenscoff armed group.
- Local resident Marc Paul said gangs kidnapped his brother, stepmother, stepfather, two cousins and a 16-year-old niece, who was raped but managed to escape and reunite with him.
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- The United Nations said Tuesday, August 25, 2026, that more than 50 people were kidnapped during the August 23 Kenscoff attack, in addition to at least 47 killed.
- UN Secretary-General António Guterres said 22 of the 47 victims were reportedly executed in a church compound where they had sought shelter.
- A gang leader identifying himself as 'Izo 2' posted a video on social media threatening to kill all hostages if any gang members are hurt by security forces, addressing National Police Director Vladimir Paraison by name.
- Local resident Marc Paul said gangs kidnapped his brother, stepmother, stepfather, two cousins, and a 16-year-old niece who was raped but managed to escape and reunite with him.
- Security analyst Romain Le Cour of the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime said the August 23 attack is "a major political and security test" for Haiti's government, police and the U.N.-backed mission, and suggested gangs may be trying to stretch limited security resources and send a message ahead of Dec. 13 general elections.
- Le Cour identified 'Izo 2' as also known as 'Didi', leading the Kenscoff armed group on behalf of powerful gang boss Johnson André, known as Izo.