Jovenel Moise, the president of Haiti, was shot and killed in his home early this morning.

According to news reports, Moise and his wife were attacked at home by armed intruders around 1 a.m. on July 7. The first lady, Martine Moise, was transported to a hospital and is receiving medical care for her injuries.

Citing potential violent uprisings, the U.S. State Department has ordered the closure of the American Embassy in Port-au-Prince.

U.S. citizens who staff the embassy are gathering in organized American compounds for safety. Regular business, including consular services related to travel, is suspended for the time being while developments are monitored. 

Haiti is a small nation in the Caribbean that has been plagued by political unrest, poverty, and natural disasters for decades. The U.S. Embassy to Haiti was established in 1943 and employs American citizens as both appointed diplomats and staff. Security is provided by U.S. military forces stationed in the country.

For more information about this fluid situation, check the State Department website for security updates. You can also call (888) 407-4747 from the U.S. or Canada to speak to a staff member by phone.

*This is an ongoing story and will be updated as we learn more. Refresh for updates!