HAITI: A confrontation between Haitian police and alleged gang members ends with the burning of at least one suspect inside a car in Port au Prince

What started as the arrest of several suspected gang members in Port au Prince's Martissant neighbourhood ended as a massive manhunt which left at least three people dead and an unconfirmed number in custody. At around 9:00 am local time on Friday (November 03) the remains of a man with alleged gang affiliations and ties to a rash of kidnappings, were found inside a burnt car. The situation quickly escalated with dozens of Martissant residents hiding inside their homes while gunmen exchanged fire with UN troops. The incident took place after a vehicle in which two suspected kidnappers travelled was stopped by Haitian police. According to witness accounts, the suspects inside the car fired their weapons and police officers responded. Shortly thereafter, local residents rushed the vehicle and set it on fire. At least two men died in the incident. The passenger of the burnt car, a man in his 30's, and the driver, identified as a member of the Haitian police. "We're working together in every troubled neighbourhood to bring about peace. We don't understand why the MINUSTAH, for no reason, this morning fired shots while we were protesting peacefully to obtain the release of all political prisoners," Ernst added. Witnesses said UN forces chased other suspects through the streets of Martissant as they exchanged shots with them.

ITN Source | November 4, 2006

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