At least seven people were killed in gang attacks in Arcahaie between Saturday, October 31, and Monday, November 2, Mayor Wilner René said on Tuesday in a partial toll given on the radio program Panel Magik, Le Nouvelliste reported. Members of local self-defense brigades were among the dead, as were residents trapped inside their homes.

The mayor said 22 people held hostage by gang members in Bercy, in the commune of Arcahaie, were freed on Monday afternoon in joint operations by the Haitian National Police and the self-defense brigades. Some people were still missing and searches were continuing. He also said houses had been set on fire.

According to the mayor, the attacks followed a police operation on Thursday, October 29, in which about twenty gang members were killed, including a leader known as “Galaxy,” whom he blamed for a massacre in Laborderie about a year ago. The gangs, who had received reinforcements, struck back over the holiday weekend. The mayor blamed the Viv Ansanm coalition and said police officers and brigade members pushed the attacks back.

Arcahaie was calm early on Tuesday, but the mayor said threats remained and that the toll could rise. Neither the town hall nor the local civil protection office had a consolidated count yet.