American Missionaries Killed by Gunshot Wounds in Haiti
A gang ambushed the site of the long-established Missions in Haiti Inc.
Three individuals, including a young married missionary couple, were terrorized, shot, and killed around 9 p.m. on May 23 at the Haiti mission where they were serving, Missions in Haiti Inc.
The victims were David “Davy” Lloyd, Natalie Baker Lloyd, and a third person known only as Jude, who was the school director at the mission. Reports of their deaths have circulated on social media.
Ms. Lloyd is the daughter of Missouri state Rep. Ben Baker, while Mr. Lloyd is the son of David and Alicia Lloyd, who founded the mission in 2000. Both families confirmed the tragic news on social media.
Ambushed
David and Alicia Lloyd, who run the mission, had recently returned to the United States and were informed of the distressing incident in Haiti via the mission’s social media channels.
According to the post, Mr. Davy Lloyd was forcibly taken to the house, bound, and subjected to physical assault. The gang then pilfered the mission’s trucks and loaded them with whatever they desired before departing.
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Another gang arrived, purportedly to offer assistance.
“No one could comprehend their intentions, and it is unclear what exactly transpired, but one individual was shot and killed, sparking a full-fledged assault by the gang. Davy, Natalie, and Jude were holed up in my house at the back of the property, utilizing a star link internet connection to contact me,” the post stated. “As they are seeking refuge there, the gang has shattered all the windows in the house and continues firing shots. Their lives are in grave danger.”
The author of this post on Missions in Haiti remains unknown. The Epoch Times has reached out for clarification.
The post continued, “I have been attempting to contact my connections to arrange for a police armored vehicle to evacuate them to safety, but I have been unsuccessful in doing so. Additionally, I am negotiating with the gang on the amount of money required to stand down and allow them to depart and reach safety. Please keep them in your prayers.”
Subsequently, the post revealed that communication was lost and no one could reach the mission staff for several hours.
Four hours later, a succinct update was posted.
“Davy, Natalie, and Jude were shot and killed by the gang around 9 o’clock this evening. We are all devastated.”
The Epoch Times has reached out to the State Department for any available information.
“We are aware of the reports regarding the deaths of U.S. citizens in Haiti. Our deepest condolences go out to the family during this difficult time,” the State Department stated in an email. “We are prepared to offer all necessary consular support. Out of respect for the family at this trying time, we have no further comments.”
Humanitarian Crisis
Missions in Haiti caters to underprivileged children, supporting a school with over 240 students, operating the House of Compassion for children to reside in full time, and establishing and managing the Good Hope Boys home for boys who have lost everything.
They provide a children’s church program for the community and have a bakery that employs young adults who have outgrown their children’s program. The bakery sells bread to the public and nourishes the children in their care.
Situated in Bon Repos, near Port-au-Prince, Missions in Haiti has been impacted by recent gang disruptions in the densely populated area.
The Epoch Times has requested comments from the Baker and Lloyd families.
Newsletters from the mission’s website shed light on the challenging conditions where they are operating.
“The situation in Haiti today is dire. Ruthless gangs control approximately 60 percent of Haiti, and there is a lack of functioning governance. Haiti is in complete chaos. These gangs freely commit acts of murder, rape, theft, and destruction. Food and fuel distribution are under gang control, leading to severe shortages of both food and fuel,” wrote the elder Mr. David Lloyd in December 2022.
He noted that Haiti was one of the five nations facing famine globally, with people starving due to dwindling food supplies and lack of medical aid.
By May 2023, the humanitarian crisis in Haiti had escalated.
“Gangs have extended their control to more areas in and around Port-au-Prince. Thousands are dead, kidnapped, or displaced. The daily stories we hear are heartbreaking, and the immense needs and issues faced by the Haitian people overwhelm us. Please join us in praying for urgent external assistance for Haiti. The Haitian people cannot endure this extreme lawlessness, famine, and stress much longer,” the newsletter expressed. “Please pray for us and for outside assistance to reach Haiti quickly.”
In a newsletter from 2024, Mr. Lloyd revealed that the school had to close for two weeks in February due to a gun battle between rival gangs vying for control near the mission compound.
“Reports indicated that one of the gangs executed every male they encountered during the conflict, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of men,” the newsletter detailed.
