Haitian Immigrant Charged in Deadly Florida Gas Station Attack

President Trump shares video of the brutal hammer assault, sparking debate over immigration and crime

Apr. 11, 2026 at 7:54am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a shattered car windshield, the glass reflecting a faint red light, conceptually illustrating the violence of the hammer attack.The brutal hammer attack on an immigrant gas station worker has reignited the contentious debate around immigration in the U.S.Key West Today

A 40-year-old Haitian immigrant named Rolbert Joachin has been arrested and charged with murder for allegedly bludgeoning a 51-year-old Bangladeshi woman to death with a hammer at a gas station in Fort Myers, Florida. President Trump shared video footage of the attack on his social media platform, reigniting debates over immigration and public safety.

Why it matters

The tragic incident has become a flashpoint in the ongoing political debate over immigration, with President Trump using the case to portray immigrants as a threat, despite studies showing immigrants are less likely to commit violent crimes than native-born Americans. The case also highlights concerns about bail reform and the treatment of vulnerable immigrant communities.

The details

According to police, Joachin, who arrived in the U.S. in 2022, was arrested and charged with murder and property damage for the April 2nd attack on Nilufa Easmin, a Bangladeshi immigrant and mother of two who was working as a convenience store clerk. Security camera footage shows Joachin repeatedly striking Easmin in the head with a hammer before leaving her body on the sidewalk.

  • The attack occurred on April 2, 2026 at a Chevron gas station in Fort Myers, Florida.
  • Joachin was arrested the same day as the incident.
  • Joachin's arraignment is scheduled for May 4, 2026.

The players

Rolbert Joachin

A 40-year-old Haitian immigrant who was arrested and charged with murder for the gas station attack.

Nilufa Easmin

A 51-year-old Bangladeshi immigrant and mother of two who was working as a convenience store clerk when she was killed in the attack.

Donald Trump

The former U.S. President who shared video footage of the attack on his social media platform, using the incident to criticize immigration policies.

Guerline Jozef

The executive director of the Haitian Bridge Alliance, which advocates for Haitian immigrants, who condemned the attack but warned against using it to demonize an entire community.

Kelei Walker

The acting field office director for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and removal operations in Miami, who stated that Joachin's Temporary Protective Status was revoked this week.

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What they’re saying

“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

What’s next

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

The takeaway

This tragic case has reignited the divisive debate over immigration and public safety, with President Trump using the incident to further his anti-immigrant agenda, despite studies showing immigrants are less likely to commit violent crimes. It also highlights the need for improved support and protections for vulnerable immigrant communities.