LINCOLN — U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry and a delegation of American officials were forced to abruptly exit a funeral service for assassinated Haitian President Jovenel Moïse on Friday after shots were fired nearby.

Fortenberry and a group that included United Nations Ambassador Linda Thomas Greenfield and U.S. Rep. Greg Meeks, D-N.Y., were hustled to an airplane and returned to the U.S. safely Friday afternoon, according to Andy Braner, Fortenberry’s chief of staff.

In a video shot before the delegation boarded their plane, Fortenberry sounded shook up but expressed regret that the Americans had to leave the funeral service so hastily.

“Circumstances on the ground here are very tense. The situation is volatile. There’s a lot of anger,” he said.

Fortenberry, who serves on the State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee on Appropriations, said he was invited to attend as part of a White House delegation for the funeral for Moïse, who was assassinated on July 7.

The Associated Press reported that hundreds of protesters gathered outside the private compound where Moïse’s funeral was held. Some mourners inside shouted, “Justice for Jovenel!” and others jeered and threatened the national chief of police when he arrived, accusing him of contributing to the attack.

U.S. and United Nations delegations left about 10 to 15 minutes after arriving. Gunshots were heard, and tear gas cannisters were fired at protesters.

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