Distressing reports came in at 12:00am, election day, March 20 2011, that hip-hop artist Wyclef Jean had been shot and was at a hospital seeking treatment.

Earlier reports claimed that Jean was passing through Delmas #65 at 11:00pm in Port-au-Prince when a hail of gunfire was showered into the car. Jean was in the car with Busta Rhymes, Jimmy Rosemond and other members of his entourage. No other passengers in the vehicle were injured.

The injury was inflicted to Wyclef Jean’s right hand. The same hand that made him a star as a guitar-playing revolutionary of hip-hop. Wyclef’s management and Pras Michel have said that the artist will be fine.

Reports from Signal FM say that Jean was riding in an easily recognizable BMW SUV. The police constable in the area went to the hospital but did not get to see the hand because it had already been wrapped. Jean did not make any comments.

@defendhaiti on twitter:
@prasmichel: Yes they shot Wyclef and he’s in the hospital and he’ll be fine. They just shot his hand…
@prasmichel: Everyone can relax Wyclef is fine… They can’t stop us not one bullet or a machine gun!!!!!!!
@wyclef: We have spoken to Wyclef, he is ok. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers – Managment

Haiti is set to vote in its presidential runoff on this day and this event only adds to the dramatic circumstances of the tiny island. On Saturday, the formerly exiled President Jean Bertrand Aristide returned to Haiti, stirring up much speculation and confusion ahead of the elections.

UPDATE A spokesman for Wyclef Jean says the hip-hop star has been released from the hospital at 2:45am after being treated for a gunshot wound to his hand.