Port-au-Prince, Haiti – A tragic incident unfolded in the city when a local director of a mission group and a missionary couple from the United States were brutally attacked and fatally shot by gang members. The violence occurred as the trio left a youth group activity at a church in the community of Lizon in northern Port-au-Prince. The victims were identified as Jude Montis, the local director of Missions in Haiti Inc., and Davy and Natalie Lloyd, a young married couple from the US.
This horrifying event took place amidst a backdrop of escalating violence in the capital city, where gangs have taken control of 80% of the area. The authorities are awaiting the arrival of a police force from Kenya as part of a United Nations-backed deployment aimed at addressing the gang violence that has plagued the troubled Caribbean country.
The missionaries were dedicated to helping the children of Haiti, showcasing the positive impact they were making in the community. Unfortunately, their lives were cut short by the senseless attack carried out by the gang members. The incident unfolded as the missionary couple and the local director were leaving a church, only to be ambushed by gunmen in trucks.
Davy Lloyd, 23, and Natalie Lloyd, 21, alongside some children, were targeted by the armed assailants, who proceeded to assault them and steal their belongings. The victims sought refuge in a house connected to the mission, but the gang members continued their violent rampage, resulting in a tragic loss of lives.
In the aftermath of the attack, the bodies of Davy and Natalie Lloyd were safely transported to the US Embassy, a heartbreaking moment for their families. The devastating news was shared on social media by Ben Baker, Natalie Lloyd’s father and a Republican state representative in Missouri, expressing the profound grief and shock experienced by their loved ones.
The senseless act of violence has left the families and the community reeling, with Mr. Montis leaving behind two young children. The tragedy underscores the dangers faced by those carrying out humanitarian work in volatile environments, shedding light on the urgent need for increased security measures and support for mission groups operating in high-risk areas.