Three missionaries, including a married couple from the US, tragically lost their lives in a violent gang attack in Haiti. The victims, identified as Davey Lloyd, his wife Natalie, and their co-worker Jude Montes, were killed on Thursday in Port-au-Prince.
The Lloyd family, who runs the organization Missions in Haiti, revealed that Davey's father was on the phone with his son during part of the attack. The assailants, reportedly a gang in three trucks, ambushed the missionaries as they were leaving church.
Davey Lloyd was taken captive, tied up, and beaten by the gang. Despite his father's efforts to seek help, the attackers proceeded to shoot and kill the young couple and their Haitian colleague, Jude Montes. The three missionaries were barricaded in the Lloyd family's living quarters on the mission's compound during the harrowing ordeal.
The violent incident underscores the escalating gang violence in Haiti, which has plunged the country into chaos. The resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry in April highlighted the pervasive influence of gangs, with an estimated 80% of the capital city under their control.
Missions in Haiti, a Christian nonprofit organization led by the Lloyd family for over two decades, has been deeply impacted by the loss of their dedicated staff members. Jude Montes, who had served with the organization for 20 years, was also a victim of the senseless attack.
The tragic deaths of these missionaries serve as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by those working in humanitarian missions in volatile regions. The incident has sparked an outpouring of grief and calls for action to address the rampant gang violence that continues to plague Haiti.
