TheLittleTwentieth – Renowned Papers Edition, AI Infused

Local sources from Cuba: 20 Minutes, BFMTV.
UK coverage: The Independent.

In a tragic incident in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, three individuals, including an American missionary couple and a local director, were fatally shot by gang members. The missionary couple, Davy and Natalie Lloyd, hailing from the United States, were associated with the organization Missions in Haiti. The local director, Jude Montis, was a key figure in the organization’s operations. The attack took place as the victims were leaving a church, and they were ambushed by gang members in three trucks. The bodies of the Lloyds have been safely transported to the US Embassy, while the families of the victims mourn their loss.

The organization Missions in Haiti, founded in 2000 by David and Alicia Lloyd, focuses on providing aid to the children of Haiti. They manage a school for 450 children, two churches, and a shelter in the Bon Repos neighborhood, located in the northern suburbs of the capital, Port-au-Prince.

The victims have been identified as David Lloyd III, 23, known as Davy, and his wife Natalie Lloyd, 21, both American missionaries, and Jude Montis, a 20-year-old Haitian director of the organization. Natalie Lloyd is the daughter of Missouri State Representative Ben Baker, who expressed his heartbreak on Facebook, stating, ‘My heart is shattered into a thousand pieces. They went to heaven together.’

According to Missions in Haiti, the attack occurred when the Lloyds were leaving a part of the mission building. They were ambushed by three trucks filled with armed men. David Lloyd III was taken inside and beaten, while the gang members seized the organization’s vehicles and other belongings. The situation escalated with the arrival of a second gang, leading to an exchange of gunfire, during which the three missionaries were shot dead.

The security situation in Haiti has been deteriorating, with a surge in violence attributed to the numerous gangs present on the island. These gangs, previously engaged in inter-gang conflicts, have now united to challenge the government. The United Nations reports that over 2,500 people have been killed or injured in the first three months of 2024.

In response to the deaths of the American citizens, President Joe Biden called for the rapid deployment of an international mission to ensure security in Haiti. The White House emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, ‘The security situation in Haiti cannot wait.’ The United States expressed its condolences to the families of the victims.

Haiti, a country plagued by gang violence, is currently facing a severe security, political, and economic crisis. In an effort to combat the armed gangs that terrorize the population and control the capital, Port-au-Prince, a mission led by Kenya, with support from the United Nations and logistical involvement from the United States, is expected to assist the Haitian police.

This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by organizations and individuals working to bring aid and support to vulnerable communities in Haiti. The loss of the missionary couple and the local director has left a void in the efforts to help the children of Haiti, and their contributions will be deeply missed.