January 18, 2026
On Monday, March 17, during the funeral of two Haitian Armed Forces soldiers, Éric Jean and Kempès Basile, a tragic incident occurred at the Delmas 75 cemetery. As military personnel paid their final respects by firing shots into the air, a stray bullet fatally struck a civilian who was on his way to the ceremony. The victim died instantly, causing panic among the mourners and attendees.
The two soldiers had been killed on February 25 during an attack in Delmas 30, attributed to the armed group “Viv Ansanm.” The assault claimed multiple lives and forced many residents to flee the area. Their funeral was meant to be a solemn tribute but instead turned into a scene of chaos, highlighting the ongoing dangers of insecurity and the uncontrolled use of firearms in Haiti.
This latest incident raises concerns about the management of military and police ceremonies and the need for stricter regulations on honorary gunfire. As the country faces escalating violence, security forces must exercise greater caution to prevent such tributes from turning into further tragedies.
