Haiti: photojournalist shot in face as senator opens fire outside parliament
Source: The Guardian
• Jean Marie Ralph Féthière draws handgun amid chaotic scenes
• Chery Dieu-Nalio avoids serious injury; another man wounded
Ruaridh Nicoll in Port-au-Prince
@Ruaridhnicoll
Mon 23 Sep 2019 19.30 BSTFirst published on Mon 23 Sep 2019 17.41 BST
Two men including a photojournalist have been shot and injured by a Haitian senator who opened fire outside the country’s parliament, amid chaotic scenes as the government attempted to confirm the appointment of a new prime minister.
Chery Dieu-Nalio, an Associated Press photographer, was wounded in the face and a second man, Leon Leblanc, a security guard and driver, was also injured in the incident in the country’s capital, Port-au-Prince, on Monday.
Although doctors were reported to be removing bullet fragments from Dieu-Nalio’s face, the injuries are said not to be life-threatening.
Before leaving the scene, Leblanc told reporters he had seen Jean Marie Ralph Féthière, a senator from the north of the country, draw a handgun as he tried to leave the parliamentary precincts through a crowd of protesters.
Another senator, Patrice Dumont, said Féthière warned the crowd he would shoot if they did not let him leave.
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Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/23/haiti-shooting-senator-gun-parliament-photojournalist
Senator Jean Marie Ralph Féthière, fires his gun outside parliament in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, 23 September 2019. Chery Dieu-Nalio, an Associated Press photographer, was wounded in the shooting. Photograph: Chery Dieu-Nalio/AP
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5 hours ago
REUTERS
Senator Jean Marie Ralph Féthière is seen on the right seconds after opening fire
A Haitian senator opened fire during a protest outside the country's parliament building, wounding two people including a photographer.
Chery Dieu-Nalio, a photographer for the Associated Press, was hit in the face. Leon Leblanc, a security guard, was also wounded in the incident.
Senator Jean Marie Ralph Féthière opened fire as he left parliament in the capital, Port-au-Prince.
He claimed he was defending himself from protesters.
. . .
Mr Dieu-Nalio, who was wearing body armour clearly marked with the word "Press", was struck on the chin. Reports said he was treated in hospital but his injuries were not severe. Mr Leblanc's condition was not immediately known.
More:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/23/haiti-shooting-senator-gun-parliament-photojournalist
Poor senator looks terrified, doesn't he? How brave he was to confront the unarmed protesters.