On Tuesday, barely 24 hours after the announcement of the arrest of the powerful Gang Leader Arnel, the Arnel residence serving as headquarters and that of several members of the Gang were set on fire at Base Pierrot in Artibonite by members of an opposing gang that was eager to take control of Arnel's territory causing panic in the population...

Members of Arnel's gang, who were more likely to face a police operation after the arrest of their leader, in short number to support the assault of these numerous and heavily armed opponents, fled and took refuge in the hills with "weapons and luggage" without leaving a trace...

The Haitian National Police arrived at the scene after the confrontation found no trace of Arnel's arsenal, members of the Gang having cleared the caches and carried weapons and ammunition in their escape.

According to Frandy Toussaint, member of the Board of Communale Section, which urges the police authorities to restore order and peace in the commune, at least 6 innocent citizens were killed by this rival gang, lamenting that the commune has become the battleground where gangs with Arnel's arrest will now clash to take control of the territory and enslave the smaller gangs.

TB/ HaitiLibre