American Missionaries Murdered in Haiti by Gang Violence

Two American Christian missionaries, Davy and Natalie Lloyd, were brutally killed by gang violence in Haiti on Thursday. The attack occurred at a youth group gathering at church, where the couple and other members were ambushed by a heavily armed gang. Missouri State Representative Ben Baker, Natalie's father, confirmed the tragic news on Facebook.

Two American Christian missionaries, Davy and Natalie Lloyd, were tragically killed in a violent gang attack in Haiti on Thursday. The incident occurred at a youth group gathering at church, where the couple and other members were ambushed by a heavily armed gang.

Missouri State Representative Ben Baker, Natalie's father, confirmed the devastating news on Facebook, describing the heartbreak and pain of losing his daughter and son-in-law. "My heart is broken in a thousand pieces. I’ve never felt this kind of pain," Baker wrote. "They went to Heaven together."

According to Missions In Haiti, Inc., a nonprofit Christian ministry founded by David and Alicia Lloyd, Davy and Natalie were taken hostage along with several children. The gang tied up and beat Davy, while looting and loading the group's belongings into their own vehicles.

A second gang arrived at the scene, and a misunderstanding led to a violent confrontation. The first gang opened fire, killing one of the members of the second gang. The attack escalated into a full-scale assault on the house where Davy, Natalie, and another individual named Jude were hiding.

Despite attempting to communicate with Missions In Haiti via satellite internet, the missionaries lost contact as the gangs began shooting at the house. Hours later, Missions In Haiti received confirmation that Davy, Natalie, and Jude had been killed in the attack.

Missions In Haiti recounted the horrifying events in a social media post, expressing their grief and shock over the senseless loss of life. The organization described how the missionaries and children were ambushed by the gang and how Davy was taken hostage.

They also stated that another gang arrived at the scene and that a misunderstanding led to gunfire, resulting in the death of one of the gang members. This triggered a violent response from the second gang, who attacked the house where the missionaries were hiding.

A family friend and Missouri State Representative Dirk Deaton have created a GoFundMe page to support the Baker/Lloyd family. As of Friday, donors have raised over $9,000 towards a $20,000 goal.

Former President Donald Trump also expressed his condolences, posting on Truth Social, "God bless Davy and Natalie." He condemned the violence, saying, "Such a tragedy. Haiti is totally out of control. Find the killers NOW!!!"

Haiti has been plagued by poverty, natural disasters, and corruption for decades. The situation has deteriorated since February, when gangs launched coordinated attacks, burning police stations, attacking the main international airport, and storming prisons. The country's largest seaport remains paralyzed, leading to shortages of food, medication, and other critical items.

At least 1.4 million Haitians are on the verge of famine, according to the U.N.’s World Food Program. Gang violence has displaced tens of thousands of people and killed hundreds since January.

The U.S. government has promised $300 million to a multinational force, including 1,000 police officers from Kenya, to help restore law and order in Haiti. President Biden has emphasized the need for caution, not wanting to repeat past mistakes of U.S. intervention.

The main international airport in Port-au-Prince reopened on Monday, but the seaport remains closed. Gangs control approximately 80% of the capital, according to the Associated Press.

The U.S. has evacuated hundreds of citizens by helicopter, and military planes have been deployed to prepare for the arrival of foreign troops. The Kenyan government has indicated that the deployment will occur within "the next few days, few weeks."