Official says police in Haiti killed 5 armed environmental protection agents during ongoing protests

Police killed five armed environmental protection agents in Haiti’s capital during the third consecutive day of demonstrations that have paralyzed the country amid growing demands that Prime Minister Ariel Henry resign, Report informs referring to AP.

The deadly shooting between police and agents with Haiti’s Security Brigade for Protected Areas occurred in the Laboule community of Port-au-Prince, Lionel Lazarre, head of a police union known as Synapoha, told The Associated Press. Lazarre wasn’t at the scene but said he was briefed about the shooting by officers who were involved. He had said earlier that four were killed and later updated the number of victims to five.

He claimed that the environmental agents opened fire after police asked them to drop their weapons, prompting officers to shoot. The AP could not independently verify the claim, and the Security Brigade for Protected Areas could not be immediately reached for comment.

Police were seen towing a pickup truck emblazoned with the environmental agency’s name and whose windshield was marked by several bullet holes.

Clashes were reported elsewhere in Port-au-Prince, with officials firing tear gas and live bullets to break up crowds of protesters.