Gang Violence Claims Lives of Missionaries in Haiti
- Police in Haiti have apprehended a suspect in the killings of a U.S. missionary couple and a nonprofit chief.
- The murders occurred during heightened gang violence in Haiti earlier this year.
- Authorities are continuing their investigation into the tragic incident.
On May 23, the tragic killings of missionaries Davy Lloyd, his wife Natalie, and Jude Montis, the director for Missions in Haiti Inc., were attributed to rampant gang violence in Port-au-Prince. The incident occurred in Lizon, a community heavily affected by gangs that reportedly control up to 80% of the capital. A suspect, a 52-year-old man, has been arrested in connection with the murders, although details regarding charges or legal representation remain unclear. David Lloyd, the father of Davy, expressed his sorrow and concern, stating that his son and daughter-in-law were dedicated to helping the Haitian people. He recounted a phone call from Davy on the night of the attack, during which gangs forced them to open the mission gates and looted their compound. Following the incident, the mission has closed for the first time in 26 years, and the children they served have been relocated for safety. The United Nations reported over 3,200 killings in Haiti from January to May, with gang violence displacing more than half a million people. The situation escalated in February when gangs launched coordinated attacks on government facilities, police stations, and even the main international airport, which was shut down for nearly three months. In response to the deteriorating security situation, a U.N.-backed police force from Kenya arrived in June to assist in restoring order, nearly two years after Haiti's government requested international support. The ongoing violence has left many questioning the future stability of the nation.