March 17, 2026
Ouanaminthe, Haiti — On Saturday, September 24, at around 6 p.m., an individual on a motorcycle opened fire on the vehicle of Attorney Joseph Albert near a branch of the Banque de l’Union Haïtienne (BUH) on the national road. Police Commissioner Ronald Eugene rushed him to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
“I was nearby in my car when I heard a loud detonation,” Commissioner Eugene said. “I rushed him to the hospital, but unfortunately they told me he had died.”
After the shots, Attorney Albert lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a tree near the BUH branch. His killing sparked intense anger among his relatives. Spontaneous protests were also organized by residents of the commune, who set up barricades of burning tires.
At least two people were taken into custody as part of the investigation: Pastor Moïse Joseph, who was in an open legal dispute with the victim over an accident involving Attorney Albert’s vehicle, and Michelle Adrien Etienne, the wife of the president of the Fort-Liberté Bar Association.
The following day, Government Commissioner Charles Edouard Durand was seen at the scene speaking with shopkeepers. Authorities are seeking to review surveillance footage from neighboring businesses.
