It is with great sadness that we share about the recent death of one of JiHM’s employees.

Ricardo “Baby” Duval passed away on November 15, 2024, from complications of a gunshot wound. Ricardo had served as a gatekeeper for Grace Emmanuel School since January 2023. Before being hired, he had been a frequent volunteer for JiHM and attended Victory Bible Church. He was 32 years old.

On Thursday, November 14, Ricardo was traveling on a tap-tap between Cabaret and Arcahaie, unaware that the driver of the tap-tap he had boarded was wanted by the police for gang activity. When police tried to stop the vehicle, the driver fled, and the police opened fire. Ricardo was struck by a bullet and taken to a hospital. He died the following day.

Ricardo “Baby” Duval was born June 26, 1992, into a large and loving family. Though he grew up in the countryside, Ricardo eventually moved to Source Matelas so he could receive an education. He began attending Victory Bible Church with his brother Johnny, and would often volunteer for JiHM, serving as a bus attendant for Grace Emmanuel School and helping clean up the schoolyard.

After the first massacre in Source Matelas in November 2022, many families came to temporarily live on JiHM’s property. During this time Ricardo continued to keep the yard clean with the hope that school could reopen for the children.

Because of his good service, when a role opened up as gatekeeper for the school in January 2023, he was quickly chosen for the job.

During the final massacre on Source Matelas on April 19, 2023, Ricardo fled on foot with the rest of the school. Because of his bravery and quick thinking, JiHM regained control of the school bus and another ministry vehicle (“Big Blue”) from the property later that day.

After the reopening of the school in Arcahaie, Ricardo continued his work as gatekeeper.

“He loved his job,” said Frisner, JiHM’s administrator. “He was always on time, disciplined, and showed everyone respect. He was one of our hardest workers.”

Ricardo is survived by sons, Luckson (5) and Louwens (2); his mother; 7 brothers and 6 sisters; and many friends and coworkers at JiHM.

While JiHM has had many of its employees injured, threatened, or forced to move away because of the gang violence, Ricardo is the first to pass away.

Please continue to pray for an end to the chaos in Haiti.