Haiti Arrests Suspect in May Killings of US Missionaries and Nonprofit Leader

Photo : AP

Haitian authorities have announced the arrest of a suspect in connection with the fatal shooting of a U.S. missionary couple and a Haitian nonprofit leader earlier this year. This incident, which shocked the nation, occurred amid escalating violence from gangs across Haiti.

On May 23, 2024, missionaries Davy Lloyd, 23, and Natalie Lloyd, 21, along with Jude Montis, the Haitian director for the U.S.-based Missions in Haiti Inc., were killed in an attack in Lizon, a community in northern Port-au-Prince. The violence was attributed to gangs that have taken control of much of the Haitian capital, with some estimates suggesting they control up to 80% of the city.

A video released late Wednesday by Haiti's National Police shows a 52-year-old man in handcuffs, who is accused of being involved in the murders. The suspect, whose identity has not been publicly disclosed, denies any involvement. It remains unclear if formal charges have been filed against him or if he has legal representation. The police claim that calls made from the suspect’s phone after the murders link him to the crime, but the suspect refutes these allegations.

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David Lloyd, the father of Davy Lloyd, expressed that he had not been informed about the details of the suspect's arrest. Reflecting on his son and daughter-in-law, Lloyd noted their deep commitment to Haiti and their mission. Natalie Lloyd was the daughter of Missouri state Rep. Ben Baker, who expressed cautious optimism about the arrest and a desire for justice.

The couple was set to celebrate their second wedding anniversary in June. According to David Lloyd, his son called him during the attack to report that gangs had forced their way into the mission compound, looted it, and subsequently attacked them. The gang members then set the house on fire, with over 100 individuals believed to have participated in the assault. Following the attack, the mission compound, operational for 26 years, was shut down, and the children the mission served were relocated to safer areas.

The violence in Haiti has been severe, with over 3,200 killings reported from January to May 2024 alone. Gang-related violence has displaced more than half a million people, according to the United Nations. The situation worsened in February when gangs carried out coordinated attacks on government infrastructure, police stations, and the main international airport, causing it to close for nearly three months. The chaos also saw gangs storming Haiti’s largest prisons, releasing thousands of inmates.

In response to the deteriorating security situation, a U.N.-backed multinational police force from Kenya was deployed in June, following a two-year request from Haiti’s government for international assistance.

The police video concludes with a statement affirming that the investigation is ongoing and that anyone involved in the killings will eventually be apprehended.

Aug. 23, 2024 12:19 p.m. 501

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