Trump Shares Graphic Video of Alleged Killing by Haitian Immigrant

The president portrays the attack as justification for his administration's mass deportation agenda.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 9:49pm

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A fractured, abstract painting in shades of red, orange, and black depicting the violent motion of a hammer striking a car windshield, conveying the brutality of the attack without showing any specific people or locations.A violent attack on a Florida gas station exposes the political exploitation of immigrant crimes.Key West Today

President Donald Trump shared a video of a deadly attack allegedly by a 40-year-old Haitian immigrant accused of bludgeoning a 51-year-old Bangladeshi woman with a hammer at a Florida gas station. Trump portrayed the killing as justification for his administration's mass deportation agenda, but critics say he unjustly paints all immigrants as criminals.

Why it matters

The video and Trump's response highlight the ongoing political debate over immigration policy, with the president often seeking to portray immigrants as bringing crime to the U.S. Critics argue that Trump's rhetoric unfairly demonizes all immigrants, even though studies have found that people living in the U.S. illegally are less likely than native-born Americans to commit violent crimes.

The details

The attack occurred on April 2 in Fort Myers, Florida. Authorities said the suspect, Rolbert Joachin, was from Haiti and arrived in the U.S. in 2022. The victim was identified as Nilufa Easmin, a 51-year-old immigrant from Bangladesh and a mother of two. Security camera footage shows Joachin repeatedly slamming a hammer into Easmin's head. Joachin was arrested the same day and charged with murder and property damage.

  • The attack occurred on April 2, 2026 in Fort Myers, Florida.
  • Joachin was arrested on the same day as the attack.
  • Joachin's arraignment is set for May 4, 2026.

The players

Rolbert Joachin

A 40-year-old Haitian immigrant who was arrested and charged with killing a woman with a hammer at a Florida gas station.

Nilufa Easmin

A 51-year-old immigrant from Bangladesh and a mother of two who was killed in the attack.

Donald Trump

The former president who shared the video of the attack, portraying it as justification for his administration's mass deportation agenda.

Kelei Walker

The acting field office director for ICE enforcement and removal operations in Miami.

Guerline Jozef

The executive director of the Haitian Bridge Alliance, which advocates for Haitian immigrants.

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What they’re saying

“The video of her brutal slaying is one of the most vicious things you will ever see.”

— Donald Trump

“Our hearts are with the family of the victim during this unimaginably painful time. We condemn this act of violence in the strongest possible terms. But we must also be clear: one individual's actions do not define an entire people. The exploitation of this tragedy to demonize Haitian immigrants and dismantle humanitarian protections is both unjust and deeply harmful.”

— Guerline Jozef, Executive Director, Haitian Bridge Alliance

“We'll make sure he never gets to the streets of the United States and gets back to his home country.”

— Kelei Walker, Acting Field Office Director, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations in Miami

What’s next

Joachin's arraignment is set for May 4, 2026, where a judge will determine if he will be allowed bail or remain in custody.

The takeaway

This tragic incident has reignited the divisive political debate over immigration policy, with the president using the alleged crime to bolster his deportation agenda despite studies showing immigrants are less likely to commit violent crimes. The exploitation of such tragedies to demonize entire immigrant communities is harmful and unjust, underscoring the need for nuanced, fact-based discussions on this complex issue.