What is Known About the US Missionary Couple and Religious Leader Killed in Haiti

local director of a mission group in Haiti and a missionary couple from US were attacked and fatally shot by gang members after leaving a youth group activity at a church, a family member told Associated Press. Thursday’s slayings of Jude Montis, local director of Missions in Haiti Inc, and Davy and Natalie Lloyd, a young married couple from US happened in community of Lizon in norrn Port-au-Prince.

y were killed as capital crumbles under relentless assault of violent gangs that control 80 per cent of capital city while authorities await arrival of a police force from Kenya as part of a UN-backed deployment aimed at quelling gang violence in troubled Caribbean country.

Here are some things to know about missionary work that focused on helping children of Haiti, and gang attack that took three lives.

Working in Haiti

Missions in Haiti’s website says its goal is “to see Gospel of Christ make a difference in lives of Haiti’s young people.”

Davy Lloyd's parents, David and Alicia Lloyd of Oklahoma, started organisation in 2000 with aim of focusing on children of Haiti. David and Alicia Lloyd are full-time missionaries in Haiti.

“Although entire nation is steeped in poverty, children suffer worst,” y wrote on website. “Thousands are malnourished, uneducated, and heed for hopeless lives apart from Christ.”

Hannah Cornett, Davy’s sister, told Associated Press that y grew up in Haiti. Davy Lloyd went to US to attend a Bible college and married Natalie in June 2022. After wedding, couple wasted little time moving to Haiti to do humanitarian work.

Cornett said Montis, a Haitian, h worked at Missions in Haiti for 20 years.

organisation's efforts include House of Compassion, which provides housing for 36 children — 18 boys and 18 girls, website said. “All are destined to stay at House of Compassion until y have finished school and are rey to be on ir own.”

Good Hope Boys’ Home provides a home for 22 boys, website said. organisation also built a church, a bakery and a school with more than 240 students, website said.

attack

A Facebook posting on Missions in Haiti page stated that Davy Lloyd, 23, and Natalie Lloyd, 21, along with some children, were leaving a church when gang members in three trucks ambushed m.

Davy Lloyd later called his family to tell m that gang members hit him on he with barrel of a gun, forced him upstairs, stole ir belongings and left him tied up, Cornett said.

As people were helping untie Davy Lloyd, anor group of armed gunmen showed up, Cornett said.

“No one understood what y were doing, not sure what took place but one was shot and killed and now this gang went into full attack mode,” Missions in Haiti's posting said.

couple and Montis fled to a house connected to mission.

“y tried to take cover in re, but gang shot up house,” said Cornett.

Ben Baker, Natalie Lloyd's far and a Republican state representative in Missouri, posted on Facebook on Friday that bodies of Davy and Natalie Lloyd were safely transported to US Embassy.

Grieving families

Cornett said Montis left behind two children, ages 2 and 6.

Montis’ family could not immediately be reached for comment Friday. It’s unclear if he used social media and, if so, wher his profiles are public. Missions in Haiti did not immediately return AP's request for comment Friday.

Baker wrote on Facebook that his heart was broken “in a thousand pieces.”

“I’ve never felt this kind of pain,” Baker wrote. “Most of you know my daughter and son-in-law Davy and Natalie Lloyd are full time missionaries in Haiti. y were attacked by gangs this evening and were both killed. y went to Heaven toger. Please pray for my family we desperately need strength. And please pray for Lloyd family as well. I have no or words for now.”