American Missionary Couple Killed in Haiti Amidst Rampant Gang Violence

An American missionary couple, David (Davy) and Natalie Lloyd, were brutally murdered in an armed gang attack in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on Thursday evening. The attack also claimed the life of Jude Montis, the country's director of Missions In Haiti Inc.

The incident occurred in the Lizon community in northern Port-au-Prince, an area heavily controlled by gangs. The Lloyds, both in their early twenties, were ambushed while leaving a youth group activity at a local church. The attack is part of a larger security and humanitarian crisis in Haiti, where gangs control a significant portion of the capital.

Natalie Lloyd's father, Missouri state Rep. Ben Baker, expressed his grief on Facebook, saying, *"My heart is broken in a thousand pieces. I've never felt this kind of pain. They went to Heaven together."* Davy Lloyd's sister, Hannah Cornett, described her brother as outgoing and dedicated to his mission work.

The Lloyds were part of a missionary family; their parents run an orphanage, school, and church in Haiti. The couple was planning to celebrate their two-year anniversary in June and Davy's birthday in early July. Jude Montis, who also died in the attack, was a vital part of the Missions In Haiti organization.

The brutal killing of an American missionary couple in Haiti highlights the dire security situation in the country, which has been plagued by gang violence and humanitarian crisis. This incident underscores the urgent need for effective intervention from the international community to stabilize the nation and protect its citizens.

The attack underscores the dire security situation in Haiti. Authorities are awaiting the deployment of a U.N.-backed force aimed at quelling gang violence in the country. The security crisis has escalated to the point where 90% of Port-au-Prince is under gang control.

The killings occurred just hours after U.S. President Joe Biden expressed optimism that Haiti's security crisis could soon be addressed with the arrival of a 2,500-strong Kenya-led multinational policing force. However, the arrival of the first Kenyan members of the force has been delayed.

Haiti has been plagued by a security and humanitarian crisis since late February, with gangs controlling a vast majority of the capital and forcing the previous prime minister, Ariel Henry, from power. The gangs have set police stations on fire, shut down the main airport and seaport, and broken open two prisons, releasing an estimated 4,000 inmates.

The tragic deaths of David and Natalie Lloyd highlight the extreme dangers faced by those living and working in Haiti amidst the ongoing crisis. As the international community looks for ways to stabilize the nation, the loss of the Lloyds and Montis serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for effective intervention.

Key Takeaways

• American missionary couple David and Natalie Lloyd killed in gang attack in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
• The attack also claimed the life of Jude Montis, director of Missions In Haiti Inc.
• The Lloyds, both in their early 20s, were ambushed while leaving a youth group activity.
• Haiti is plagued by a security and humanitarian crisis, with gangs controlling 90% of Port-au-Prince.
• The incident highlights the urgent need for international intervention to stabilize the nation.