Port-au-Prince, Haiti – A tragic incident has left a local director of a mission group and a young missionary couple from the United States dead in Haiti. The missionary couple, Davy and Natalie Lloyd, along with the local director, Jude Montis, were fatally shot by gang members after leaving a youth group activity at a church in the community of Lizon in northern Port-au-Prince.
This devastating event highlights the ongoing violence in Haiti, as gangs gain control over the capital city. The assault on the missionary couple and the director occurred amid a deteriorating security situation in the country, where authorities are awaiting the arrival of a police force from Kenya as part of a United Nations-backed effort to combat gang violence.
The missionary work in Haiti, primarily focused on helping the children of the country, came to a tragic halt with the gang attack that claimed three lives. According to a Facebook post by Missions in Haiti, the Lloyds and Montis were leaving a church with some children when they were ambushed by gang members in three trucks. Davy Lloyd was beaten, forced upstairs, and tied up by the attackers.
Despite attempts to seek shelter in a house connected to the mission, the gang members pursued and shot at the residence where the group sought refuge. The bodies of the missionary couple were later transported to the US Embassy, as confirmed by Natalie Lloyd’s father, Ben Baker, who also serves as a Republican state representative in Missouri.
The loss of Montis, who leaves behind two young children, has left his family and the missionary organization in mourning. The tragic incident underscores the dangers faced by those engaged in humanitarian work in volatile regions. The impact of this senseless act of violence resonates not only with the families of the victims but also raises concerns about the safety of missionaries and aid workers in areas plagued by conflict and instability.
As the community of Lizon and the wider missionary community come to terms with this heartbreaking loss, the need for increased security measures and support for those providing critical aid to vulnerable populations in Haiti becomes ever more pressing. The memories of Jude Montis, Davy Lloyd, and Natalie Lloyd will continue to inspire efforts to promote peace and stability in a country grappling with escalating violence and insecurity.