PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti—US embassy in Haiti urges citizens to leave the country as soon as possibleAccording to an alert on the embassy web site, "Given the current security situation and infrastructure challenges, U.S. citizens in Haiti should depart Haiti as soon as possible via commercial or private transport."Last week, a powerful gang opened fire&nbsp; on a large group of parishioners led by a pastor as they marched through a community armed with machetes to rid the area of gang members.The attack was filmed in real time by journalists at the scene, and several people were killed and others injured, Marie Yolène Gilles, director of human rights group Fondasyon Je Klere, told The Associated Press.She watched online as hundreds of people from a local church marched through Canaan, a makeshift town in the outskirts of the capital of Port-au-Prince founded by survivors who lost their homes in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-caribbean-haiti-earthquakes-1b24808399bf07fe955e739dad93f6e2">devastating 2010 earthquake</a>.Canaan is controlled by a gang led by a man identified only as “Jeff,” who is believed to be allied with the “5 Seconds” gang.Gangs have grown more powerful since the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/haiti-president-jovenel-moise-killed-b56a0f8fec0832028bdc51e8d59c6af2">July 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse</a>, and they are estimated to control up to 80% of Port-au-Prince.Gédéon Jean, director of Haiti’s Center for Analysis and Research in Human Rights, told the AP that he also watched the event unfold online and planned to ask the Ministry of Justice to investigate.He accused the pastor of being irresponsible because he “engaged a group of people and put them in a situation like this.”The parishioners who clutched machetes and yelled “Free Canaan!” were no match for gang members armed with assault rifles.“Police should have stopped them from going,” Jean said. “It’s extremely horrible for the state to let something like this happen.”A spokesperson for Haiti’s National Police did not return a message for comment.From Jan. 1 until Aug. 15, more than 2,400 people in Haiti were reported killed, more than 950 kidnapped and another 902 injured, according to the most recent United Nations statistics.Fed up with the surge in gang violence,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/haiti-gangs-vigilantes-street-justice-crime-murder-7c3fcdfeec012c80d1fc9e58c61ed7cc">Haitians organized a violent movement</a>&nbsp;in April known as “bwa kale” that targets suspected gang members. More than 350 people have been killed since the uprising began, according to the U.N.According to the U.S. Embassy, multiple airlines and charter companies currently offer flights from Haiti’s international airports (Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haitien). Flights fill up quickly and seats may only be available several days or even weeks in advance of departure. Given that there may be a limited number of seats, U.S. citizens should consider booking flights in advance. A list of commercial airlines servicing Haiti includes&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aa.com/homePage.do" target="_blank">American Airlines</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aa.com/homePage.do" target="_blank"></a><a href="https://www.jetblue.com/" target="_blank">JetBlue</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jetblue.com/" target="_blank"></a><a href="https://www.spirit.com/" target="_blank">Spirit</a><a href="https://en.aircaraibes.com/en" target="_blank">Air </a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://en.aircaraibes.com/en" target="_blank">Caraibe</a><a href="https://sunriseairways.net/" target="_blank">Sunrise Airways</a>, according to the embassy."U.S. citizens wishing to depart Port-au-Prince should monitor local news and only do so when considered safe."Please contact&nbsp;<a href="mailto:ACSPAP@state.gov" target="_blank">ACSPAP@state.gov</a>&nbsp;if you are having challenges in departing Haiti or if you need to apply or request the return of a U.S. passport (or other travel document) to travel to the United States.Actions to take:<ul>
 <li>Use extreme caution in traveling around the country;</li><li>Avoid demonstrations and large gatherings of people;</li><li>If you encounter a roadblock, turn around and get to a safe area;</li><li>Make and practice contingency plans for sheltering in place and/or accessing airports; and</li><li>Review the guidance on travel to&nbsp;<a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/travelers-with-special-considerations/high-risk-travelers.html" target="_blank">High Risk Areas</a>.</li>
 </ul>Assistance:<ul>
 <li>U.S. Embassy Port-au-Prince, Haiti</li>
 </ul>Tabarre 41, Route de TabarreEmergencies: +509-2229-8000Non-emergency inquiries:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:acspap@state.gov" target="_blank">acspap@state.gov</a>Website:&nbsp;<a href="https://ht.usembassy.gov/" target="_blank">https://ht.usembassy.gov/</a><ul>
 <li>Contact the State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs</li>
 </ul>1-888-407-4747 toll-free from the United States and Canada1-202-501-4444 from other countries-The Associated Press contributed to this story

State Dept tells Americans to leave Haiti immediately