Haiti detains suspect in murders of U.S. missionaries and nonprofit leader

Police in Haiti have made an arrest in connection with the tragic shooting of a U.S. missionary couple, Davy and Natalie Lloyd, alongside Jude Montis, a Haitian director for a nonprofit organization. The incident, which left the nation in shock, occurred on May 23, as gang violence continues to escalate in the Caribbean country.

The couple and Montis were killed in the northern Port-au-Prince community of Lizon, an area severely impacted by rampant gang activity. Reports indicate that gangs currently control nearly 80% of the capital, leading to widespread violence and lawlessness.

In a video shared on social media by Haiti’s National Police, a 52-year-old man can be seen in handcuffs, suspected of involvement in the murders. However, the individual, whose identity has not been disclosed, denied any role in the killings. Details regarding potential charges or legal representation for the suspect remain unclear at this time.

Authorities have claimed that the suspect’s phone was used to place calls after the attack, though he disputes these accusations. David Lloyd, the father of Davy Lloyd, expressed that he wasn’t fully aware of how the suspect was connected to the case.

Davy Lloyd was only 23 years old, while Natalie was just 21 and the couple was looking forward to celebrating their two-year wedding anniversary in June. David Lloyd described them as devoted to the Haitian people, emphasizing their commitment to humanitarian efforts in the country.

Natalie Lloyd was the daughter of Missouri state Representative Ben Baker, who publicly mourned their deaths, expressing his immense heartbreak. David mentioned that his son had communicated with him on the night of the attack, sharing details about gangs forcing them to open the mission gates and looting their compound before a sudden disconnection occurred.

During the attack, gunfire was exchanged, and the gang eventually broke into their home, ultimately resulting in the couple’s tragic deaths. Following the incident, it was reported that the attackers set the house ablaze, with David Lloyd estimating that around 100 gang members participated in the assault. The bodies of Davy and Natalie were later taken to the U.S. Embassy before being repatriated to Miami for burial.

In the aftermath of the incident, the mission compound the Lloyds operated has closed its doors for the first time in 26 years, and the children previously served by the mission have been relocated to a safer area due to ongoing violence.

David Lloyd expressed a sense of hopelessness about the situation in Haiti, stating, “There are too many gangs in the area.” The impact of gang violence has been devastating, with more than 3,200 murders reported in the first five months of the year, according to the United Nations. This violence has also left over half a million individuals homeless.

In February, Haiti experienced a wave of coordinated gang attacks on significant government and police facilities, including raids on police stations and gunfire at the international airport. The violence culminated in jailbreaks at the country’s largest prisons, releasing thousands of inmates.

With local authorities overwhelmed by the lawlessness, a police force backed by the United Nations, primarily comprised of personnel from Kenya, was deployed in June. This occurred nearly two years after Haiti’s government urgently requested international support to address the crisis.

In the police video announcing the arrest, the voiceover indicated that the investigation is still active, urging any remaining individuals involved in the killings to anticipate arresting efforts, stating, “Whoever is involved in the killings, your turn will come up. You will be arrested.”