More than 200 people gathered at St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Springfield on October 3, 2026, to pay tribute to Pierre Damas Bel, a 20-year-old Haitian immigrant who tragically died by suicide on August 31, 2026.
Bel, who emigrated to the U.S. in 2024 to escape gang violence in Tiburon, Haiti, lived in Springfield with his father, stepmother, and siblings. Attendees at the memorial included local officials, such as Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Springfield Mayor Rob Rue, as well as community leaders who urged those present to provide ongoing support to the Bel family.
Rev. Carl Ruby, who officiated the service, emphasized the importance of hope and care during the grieving process. “Weep, but do not lose hope,” he said. Ruby described Bel’s journey as reflective of the strength and resilience of the Haitian community, which has faced significant hardships in recent years.
Bel was living in the U.S. under Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and had applied for asylum. Following a change in his immigration status, he was required to wear a GPS ankle monitor as part of the Department of Homeland Security’s tracking measures for non-citizen Haitian immigrants. Bel had expressed feelings of depression and humiliation stemming from the ankle monitor, stating, “I didn’t come here to commit a crime or hurt anyone. Yet now I’m walking through the streets of the United States with a GPS monitor on my leg.”
Despite these challenges, Bel had recently graduated from Springfield High School and was pursuing a degree in neuroscience at Wright State University. He was also active in ROTC and worked at Texas Roadhouse, where he developed a passion for helping others, with aspirations of becoming a doctor and building a hospital in Haiti.
His friend, Yola Lamarre, referred to Bel as her “adopted little brother,” recalling his determination and hard work. She asked, “That is American. But who gets to be American?” She criticized societal attitudes that she claimed dehumanize individuals like Bel, who had demonstrated remarkable bravery and ambition.
Memorial attendees were encouraged to cherish Bel’s legacy and remember him not just for the tragedy of his death, but for his aspirations and accomplishments. The community continues to seek ways to support the Bel family during this difficult time, reflecting on the broader issues facing immigrant families in America.
