PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI – The daughter and son-in-law of Missouri House Representative Ben Baker were tragically killed while on a missionary assignment in Haiti. Natalie Lloyd, Baker’s daughter, and her husband Davy Lloyd were actively serving as missionaries in Haiti, according to state representative Baker’s statements on social media.
Baker explained that the pair were attacked by local gangs Thursday evening in the Lizon section of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince. He described the devastating news as leaving him “broken in a thousand pieces,” vowing for the families of the deceased and encouraging others to do the same.
The couple was working alongside Missions in Haiti, Inc., an Oklahoma-based non-profit organization that has operated in Haiti since 2000, actively aiding the region. Also killed in the attack was another missionary, Jude Montis, who responded to aid the Lloyds following a vicious attack on their residence around 9 p.m. local time on Thursday.
This was followed by the arrival of a separate gang which initiated the gunfire that ensued and ultimately led to the tragic shooting and killing of the three missionaries.
The U.S. State Department extended their deepest condolences to the deceased victims’ families and assured them of their commitment to supporting security improvements in Haiti.
This incident sheds light on the escalating gang violence in Haiti that started in February. The increased violence prompted the U.S. government to execute evacuation flights for American citizens. Since the onset, the violence has resulted in over 2,500 casualties and kidnappings in addition to sky-high levels of deadly violence in the country.