Violence Erupts at Funeral for 11 Haiti Shooting Victims

Protesters angrily chased Haiti’s premier and justice minister from the funeral for 11 men shot by police and then blocked roads, lobbed stones at police officers and smashed windows of passing vehicles.

“Justice!” the protesters yelled when Premier Jacques Edouard Alexis and Justice Minister Camille Leblanc entered St. Gerard Catholic Church to pay their respects.

The officials were chased out of the church. The protesters then forced a hearse to head toward the National Palace but were blocked by police, who fired shots and tear gas to disperse the crowds.

Police claimed that the shooting victims were gang members who opened fire on officers during a May 28 raid. Relatives and witnesses, however, said the victims were executed.