Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry survived an assassination attempt over the weekend, , a targeted attack that comes six months after President Jovenel Moïse was killed in his home, per Reuters. 

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During an event commemorating the Caribbean country’s independence on Saturday, “bandits and terrorists” attempted to kill Henry, killing one person and injured two others in the process.

In a tweet, Henry expressed his gratitude to the bishop of Gonaïves and other church officials for doing their duties at the 218th commemoration event, “despite the tense situation that reigned in the city.”

He also thanked government officials, including the local authorities, for attending the event. “January 1 is a milestone in our life as a people, a symbol of pride and unity,” he added.

Reuters reported a local gang boss threatened Henry in local media before the incident, emphasizing that criminal gangs’ influence on portions of Haiti has intensified since Moïse’s murder. 

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Moïse nominated Henry to be Prime Minister just before he was murdered, with the latter taking over from interim Prime Minister Claude Joseph roughly two weeks after the assassination. 

Haiti’s Chief Prosecutor Bed-Ford Claude asked a judge to charge Henry in Moïse death, alleging the Prime Minister communicated with a key suspect in Moise’s murder on the night of the assassination, BNC previously reported.