A priest told mourners at a memorial service Thursday for slain President Jovenel Mo？se that too much blood is being shed in Haiti as authorities warned of more violence ahead of his funeral.

       The Rev. Jean-Gilles Sem spoke to dozens of people wearing white T-shirts emblazoned with Mo？se’s picture.

       “The killings and kidnappings should stop,” he said, noting that poor communities are the most affected. “We’re tired.”

       The Mass at the cathedral in the northern coastal city of Cap-Ha？tien was about half-full as officials warned other events planned for later in the day could be canceled amid concerns over violence.

       Mo？se supporters kept interrupting the Mass as they cried out and accused Haiti’s elite of killing the president.

       A man who identified himself as John Jovie stood outside the church with a group of men and threatened more violence if wealthy members of the elite from the capital of Port-au-Prince showed up for the ceremonies.

       “We ask them not to come to the funeral,” he said. “If they come, we will cut their heads off. We will bring our guns out of hiding. … We want justice for Mo？se.”

       The mayor of Cap-Ha？tien arrived at the cathedral with heavy security as men with high-powered weapons stood watch during the entire Mass.

       Demonstrations after the Mass turned violent on Thursday afternoon with protesters shooting into the air, throwing rocks and overturning heavy concrete barricades next to the seashore as businesses closed and people took cover.

       Some people signed a blue condolences book that the mayor’s office had set up near the cathedral as well-wishers stood before a portrait of Mo？se and rows of candles whose flames flickered in the hot wind.

       “My President. Go in peace. God sees everything. Fight for change,” wrote Louis Judlin, a 36-year-old electrician and father of two.

       He said he is unemployed and struggles to find food to feed his children. “Life is truly hard for every Haitian. To eat, to go to school, to have health, transportation,” Judlin said.

       The Mass was held a day after violence erupted in Quartier-Morin, located between Cap-Ha？tien and Mo？se’s hometown. Associated Press journalists saw the body of a man whom witnesses said was killed during the protests organized by armed men who blocked roads with large rocks and burning tires.

       “That’s the only way we have to demand justice,” Aurélien Stanley, a Mo？se supporter, said of the violence. “If we don’t get justice for Jovenel, we will do whatever it takes to stop the funeral from happening.”

       Overnight, local media reported the burning of a nearby bridge that connected two communities.

       Among those supporting Mo？se was 40-year-old Luckner Joseph.

       “He’s my president,” Joseph said. “He was connected with the masses. … He was always asking for everyone to sit down together, and the big guys didn’t want to sit down with the poor people.”

       Before the Mass began, several people stood at the entrance and shouted, “Justice for Mo？se! Justice for Mo？se!”

       Inside, dozens of people wore T-shirts that read: “The fight for the ones that are weaker is continuing. Safe journey, President Jovenel Mo？se.”

       A private funeral for Mo？se was planned for Friday as authorities continue to investigate the July 7 attack at the president’s home, in which he was shot several times and his wife seriously wounded.

       Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department announced the appointment of Daniel Foote, a career member of the Foreign Service, as its special envoy for Haiti.

       Foote will “engage with Haitian and international partners to facilitate long-term peace and stability and support efforts to hold free and fair presidential and legislative elections,” State Department spokesperson Ned Price said.

       Haiti’s police chief, Léon Charles, said 26 suspects have been arrested so far, including three police officers and 18 former Colombian soldiers. Another seven high-ranking police officials have been detained but not formally arrested as authorities probe why no one in the president’s security detail was injured that night.

       Nancy Pelosi says Jan. 6 Capitol attack committee to move ahead despite Republicans vow to boycott the investigation

       29m

       Vaccinations beginning to rise in some states where COVID-19 cases are also soaring, hospitals running out of space because of the delta variant

       31m

       Business CBS 2 Chicago general manager out after six-month investigation into hostile culture at network-owned TV stations

       46m

       Breaking News At least 7 party bus riders, 1 bystander wounded in Old Town Triangle in 1 of 3 mass shootings. 15-year-old killed in another.

       5h

       Criminal Justice Chicago police Superintendent David Brown’s choice on merit promotions just his latest reversal of predecessor’s policies

       3h