Haiti is not a pleasant place to be right now. Following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, the government has been unable to control roving criminal gangs. It’s safe to say that the country may be one of the most dangerous places in the world right now.

It’s why the following story is so terrifying. In an act of both stupidity and hubris,  a congregation lead by pastor Marcorel Zidor of the Evangelical Church of the Pool of Bethesda, organized a mass protest with congregants confronting one of the most notorious gang, demanding they leave. Armed with machetes and faith, these deluded fools were no match for the gang armed to the teeth and led by a mysterious man known only as Jeff (no, not this guy).

Police said in a statement that they had tried to convince the religious group to stop their plan “to avoid a carnage by criminals who have an arsenal of war.” Elbé noted that the group had not notified police about the protest as required and that officers were unable to halt the crowd partly because it had split up into two groups.

7 people are now confirmed dead, with an unknown number of injured. A tragedy that could easily have been averted. How many people want to bet that this irresponsible pastor gets a slap on the wrist for this?