Remembering gang terror victims in rural Haiti’s Terre-Neuve and Gros-Morne | VIGNETTE

GONAIVES—Four weeks after the horrific massacre perpetrated by armed gangs against the peaceful rural communities of Lagon and Grande Plaine—Savanne Carrée, two communal sections in Terre-Neuve and Gros-Morne, respectively 15 and 20 miles north of Gonaïves, the Artibonite Department’s capital city, families are still awaiting justice and support from the authorities while grieving and trying to cope with their immense losses.

On the weekend of June 14 and 15, heavily armed men on 10 motorcycles burst through neighboring rural communities of  Lagon and Grande Plaine—Savanne Carrée to kidnap Dieubon Déramau, a school teacher and well-known figure in the area. As the victim’s wife cried out loud for help, villagers woke up and set barricades on the road to prevent the bandits from leaving with her husband.

In revenge, the gangs responded with fury and rage, shooting people indiscriminately and setting several homes on fire. As many as 10 people were killed, including a pregnant woman on the verge of labor; one individual was critically injured and 20 houses were burned down by the bandits.

In the aftermath of the bloodbath, The Haitian Times has met with some affected families and residents to gather more information and understand the weight of the tragedy on the terrorized communities, which continue to demand justice from the Haitian authorities.

The following is a vignette report in memory of the people killed, including six in Lagon, Terre-Neuve, and four in Grande Plaine—Savanne Carrée, Gros-Morne, in order of respective community:

Families mourn six while awaiting justice in Lagon, Terre-Neuve, where gangs also burned a house.

Dieubon Dérameau

Born on August 25, 1985, and a father of three, Dieubon Dérameau was married to Wisline Aristil. He was killed in a foiled kidnapping that led to five other deaths in Lagon. 

 “He was a great man, father, school teacher, and farmer,” his wife said. “This is an enormous loss, and I am beside myself,” she cried inconsolably.

According to testimonies from different residents, Dérameau was very helpful, friendly and hospitable. He taught many children and youths for almost two decades and was always ready to serve the community in education and agriculture.

He was passionate about sports and played soccer almost his entire life. Young men he used to play with said he was a great friend and mentor to them. “We will miss him forever,” they added.

Célibon Pascal

Killed by the bandits just four days after his 58th birthday, Célibon Pascal pastored over the community for 35 years. He led the Union Baptist Church of Haiti (UEBH, per its French acronym) in Lagon. Born on June 10, 1966, he was the first child out of a family with 12 children, his youngest brother, Nacesse Pascal, said.

Pastor Pascal was married and left three children with his wife. He was also a teacher and experienced educator who worked in the public and private education systems for over 40 years.

 “I hope the authorities come down here to look at what happened to the community and help us recover with justice and psychological and material support.”

Lifaite Petit-Frère, resident of Grande Plaine-Savanne Carrée and father of two people killed in the gang massacre 

“As a shepherd to the community, he was always available to help everyone, including children, young people, adults, and elders,” the younger Pascal recounted. “Pastor Pascal is a tremendous loss not just to the Pascal family but most importantly to Terre-Neuve as a whole. He will dearly be missed.”

Terveus Antoine

Terveus Antoine was 79 years old when the gang terror took his life away. He left behind 10 children with his wife, Germane Henrisma. A farmer, Antoine was considered a man filled with wisdom and was usually called to help manage conflicts in the community.

Papa Terve, as he was affectionately called by most people in Lagon, was shot by the gangs in the middle of the night on June 14 as he was attempting to talk to the young men and calm them down for a peaceful resolution. “He was a peacemaker and a well-respected figure in the community. Everyone here will always remember him,” his daughter, Mislanda Saint-Fleur, said.

Charisma Joseph

Charisma Joseph, also known in the community as Tonton—Uncle in English, was 68 when he fell under the fury of armed gangs. Born on December 31, 1955, Joseph married Clérinette Dossour, with whom he had four children.

“He was a very responsible and admirable husband and father,” Joseph’s daughter, Natacha, said. “He worked very hard all his life as a farmer to provide for his family and ensure that we all received a good education.”

Francely Joseph

The Haitian Times was not able to collect a photo in memory of Francely Joseph. According to the minimal information received about him, he was a young man who served as a deacon at Pastor Pascal’s church, UEBH. He happened to be at the pastor’s house when he was killed.

Mérilus Joseph

Mérilus Joseph is unrelated to Charisma Joseph or Francely Joseph. The Haitian Times could not find more detailed and accurate information about him. Like the other five people above, Joseph was cowardly beaten to death by the gangs, who brazenly left the area with complete impunity after their bloodbath.

In Grande Plaine—Savanne Carrée, Gros-Morne, gangs killed four more people and burned 19 homes. 

Merline Décius

Merline Décius, 32 years old and a mother of six children aged between one year and 12 years, was cruelly shot to death by the gangs while she was in bed sleeping following the killing of her brother, Dinafait Petit-Frère. She was an agricultural crop trader at a local market.

“Most people in the community remember Merline for her kindness and good heart,” her father, 

Lifaite Petit-Frère, said. “Those gangsters are evil. They took my two precious children’s lives away for no reason whatsoever. They were peaceful individuals who never created any trouble for anyone,” Petit-Frère mourned, alluding to his son, Dinafait Petit-Frère, also killed during the gang massacre.

“I hope the authorities come down here to look at what happened to the community and help us recover with justice, psychological and material support,” he added. “How will we take care of Merline’s six little children? I have no idea. God only knows.”

Dinafait Petit-Frère

Dinafait Petit-Frère, Décius’ brother, was killed at age 40. He was trying to escape the area when the gangs stormed in. They shot him as he was running away for his life. Then, the assailants got inside the house and shot Décius while she was in bed sleeping.

Petit-Frère did not have any children of his own but was like a father to many in the community, his father said. He was an evangelical preacher and educator. He also worked in agriculture, producing primarily bananas, corn, beans, and vegetables.

Junior Fertil

Junior Fertil and his wife, Anilia Alisée, were burned together inside their home set on fire by the bandits. Fertil, 40, was also known as Ti Blan, Little White Man in English. Like other victims, Fertil and his pregnant wife were trapped in the flames inside their home while they were sleeping.

He was a motorcycle taxi driver in the area as an economic activity to support his family and his aging mother. His death is a tragic blow to his six children, aged six to 17.

Fertil’s mother, Elicia Fertil, could barely contain herself while talking to The Haitian Times about the horrific death of her only son. “I don’t want to live any longer,” she lamented. “Why Ti Blan? My son was never involved in anything wrong. He never caused any harm to anyone. He was the one taking care of me. Now, he is gone, my life is over. I have no one else. Who will provide for Ti Blan’s six kids?”

She called for help and justice. “I hope the authorities in the country think about our situation,” Mrs. Fertil said.

Anilia Alisée

Anilia Alisée, 33, was pregnant and close to giving birth. She and her husband Junior Fertil were trapped inside their home burning in a fire set by the gangs. The Haitian Times could not find a photo of her, nor could we gather more information about her life.

Mrs. Fertil, her mother-in-law, said she was a wonderful and caring person cherished by most. “She did not deserve to die in such horrible circumstances,” the elder Fertil said.

What is the status of the investigation?

Guiverna Guillaume, the government commissioner at the Court of First Instance of Gonaives, told The Haitian Times that, after being received from the local judge, Guenael Norguès, the case was assigned to a judge for further investigations and instructions.

“We are working diligently on the case,” Guillaume said. “We will continue to do everything in our power to fight the banditry phenomenon and prosecute all crimes in the Artibonite Department.”

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Remembering gang terror victims in rural Haiti’s Terre-Neuve and Gros-Morne | VIGNETTE was first posted on July 13, 2024 at 12:15 pm.