Community responds after couple with Oklahoma-based missionary group are killed

A Missouri state representative early Friday reported his daughter and son-in-law, both missionaries in Haiti, were reportedly killed in gang violence in the country.

"My heart is broken in a thousand pieces. I’ve never felt this kind of pain," Missouri Rep. Ben Baker posted on Facebook.

"Most of you know my daughter and son-in-law Davy and Natalie Lloyd are full time missionaries in Haiti. They were attacked by gangs this evening and were both killed. They went to Heaven together. Please pray for my family we desperately need strength. And please pray for the Lloyd family as well. I have no other words for now."

Baker, a Republican, represents Newton County (District 160), in the southwest part of the state.

Natalie and Davy Lloyd were part of the nonprofit Missions in Haiti Inc., which posted about the incident and confirmed their deaths.

"Davy and Natalie and (another person) were shot and killed by the gang about 9 o'clock this evening," the nonprofit posted on social media early Friday. "We all are devastated."

Mission group has Oklahoma ties

Missions in Haiti Inc. is based in Claremore, Oklahoma, according to its social media platforms. According to the organization's website, it was founded by David and Alicia Lloyd, the parents of Davy Lloyd.

In the hours before the couple's deaths, the organization posted an urgent plea for prayer in a Facebook post outlining some of the details of the gang attack on the three missionaries. The organization's ensuing post about the murders, which was shared by Baker, was also posted on David and Alicia Lloyd's Facebook page.

According to Missions in Haiti's website, David and Alicia Lloyd started the nonprofit to help the Haiti population with the biggest need, its children.

"Although the entire nation is steeped in poverty, the children suffer the worst," the couple said on the organization's website. "Thousands are malnourished, uneducated, and headed for hopeless lives apart from Christ."

They celebrated when their son Davy married Natalie Baker with a notice on the Missions in Haiti website, along with information that the couple planned to join the missionary effort in Haiti.

Friday, other missionary groups in Haiti, like Second Mile Haiti posted heartfelt messages about the Lloyd family's efforts in Haiti and the impact they have made in the lives of Haitians.

"For the past year, the Lloyds lived and worked in Haiti, dedicating themselves to the mission of Davy's parents' organization, Missions in Haiti, Inc. Davy’s parents, David and Alicia Lloyd, have been integral members of the Haitian community since 1998," the group said.

"Through their non-profit, they’ve established many valuable resources within neighborhoods of Port-au-Prince — including a school, a church, children's programs, and a bakery — each bringing jobs and resources to their respective communities. They were making a profound difference, while holding on to hope for better days for Haiti. Thank you Davy, Natalie, and (unidentified person). Our hearts go to their families, loved ones, and the Missions in Haiti community."

Taken, 'tied up and beat'

Late Thursday night, Missions in Haiti Inc., reported the couple and at least one other person were ambushed by a gang of men in three trucks while leaving church.

"Davy was taken to the house tied up and beat," the organization wrote. "The gang then took our trucks and loaded everything up they wanted and left."

The post goes onto read at some point, the couple and another person were in a home attempting to call for help.

"They are holed up in there, the gangs (have) shot all the windows out of the house and continue to shoot," the post reads.

Who is Ben Baker?

Baker is a minister, missionary, former professor and former dean of students at Ozark Bible Institute in Neosho, according to his legislative webpage.

Originally from Indianapolis, he previously served on the Neosho City Council and as mayor of Neosho, about 20 miles southeast of Joplin, Missouri.

He is married, and the couple share four daughters, including Natalie Lloyd.

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson extended condolences to the family on social media and said they were in his prayers.

"Natalie and Davy were two young people sharing peace, comfort, and God's word," Parson posted on X. "In light of this unimaginable, senseless tragedy, we remember the good they offered the world."

Unrest in Haiti due to gang violence

In March, Haiti's prime minister resigned amid gang violence in the Carribbean island country.

When Haiti announced a new prime minister in April, gang attacks increased even further, especially in the country's capital, Port-au-Prince.

More than 100,000 Haitians — including a nearly half of the nation's police force — have fled the country since a U.S. humanitarian immigration sponsorship program launched in 2022, The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Network reported.

Contributing: Antigone Barton with the Palm Beach Post

This is a developing story.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Missionaries Davy and Natalie Lloyd killed in Haiti