Missouri State Rep. Ben Baker (R-MO) has confirmed the tragic deaths of two American Christian missionaries, including his daughter Natalie, in a gang-related attack in Haiti. According to Missions In Haiti, Inc., Davy and Natalie Lloyd, who were full-time missionaries, were fatally shot at 9 p.m. on Thursday. Baker shared the devastating news on his Facebook page.
Natalie Lloyd, the daughter of Rep. Baker, and her husband Davy were at a youth group meeting at their church on Thursday night when the attack happened. The couple had dedicated their lives to serving the Haitian community through Missions In Haiti, Inc., a Christian nonprofit started by Davy’s parents, David and Alicia Lloyd, in 2000. Natalie joined the mission with Davy after their wedding in June 2022.
Reports indicate that three trucks loaded with armed gang members attacked the church. Davy was dragged to their home, tied up, and beaten, while the gang ransacked their property. Another gang reportedly arrived to check out the commotion, but their involvement only escalated the violence into a full-blown assault.
During the chaos, Davy, Natalie, and another person named Jude tried to reach out for help using Starlink satellite internet. Sadly, their efforts were cut short when the gang started shooting at the house. Hours later, it was confirmed that all three were killed, according to NBC News.
Rep. Baker expressed his profound sorrow in a Facebook post, writing, “My heart is broken in a thousand pieces. I’ve never felt this kind of pain. They went to Heaven together. Please pray for my family, we desperately need strength. And please pray for the Lloyd family as well.” Former President Donald Trump also reacted to the tragedy on his social media platform, Truth Social, writing, “God bless Davy and Natalie. Such a tragedy. Haiti is totally out of control. Find the killers NOW!!!”
The incident is part of the rampant gang violence plaguing Haiti, especially in the capital, Port-au-Prince. Gangs have taken over large parts of the city, causing widespread fear and instability. Since February, coordinated gang attacks have targeted police stations, the main international airport, and major prisons, worsening the security crisis. The violence has led the U.S. government to urgently advise its citizens to leave Haiti as soon as possible, according to Fox News.
The humanitarian crisis in Haiti is further worsened by extreme poverty, natural disasters, and political corruption. The United Nations World Food Program reports that at least 1.4 million Haitians are facing severe hunger. Amid this turmoil, the U.S. has pledged $300 million to support a multinational force aimed at restoring order in Haiti. This force will include 1,000 police officers from Kenya, who have been sent to help reestablish stability.
“This is a crisis that will be dealt with,” President Joe Biden said on Thursday. “We think we can deal with this.”
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