Documentary filmmaker Tim Hetherington, a 2011 Oscar nominee who directed the acclaimed Afghanistan war film Restrepo, was killed today in Libya.
The veteran correspondent was only 41 years old.
Hetherington died in the Libyan city of Misurat Three photographers working in alongside him chronicling the Libyan civil conflict, were also injured.
One, Chris Hondros, reportedly suffered a critical brain wound. Guy Martin, who was with Hondros and Hetherington, is said to be in "grave" condition.
The Oscar-nominated film followed American soldiers in Afghanistan's deadly Korengal Valley, known as the deadliest valley in the war zone.
The film was widely critically praised and took the Grand Jury prize at the Sundance Film Festival in 2010. It earned an Oscar nomination for best documentary.
While details are still emerging as to exactly what happened, Reuters reported that Hetherington and his group were attacked by fatal mortar fire.
"Sad news Tim Hetherington died in Misrata now when covering the front line. Chris Hondros is in a serious status," wrote fellow photographer and close, longtime Hetherington friend André Liohn on Facebook page.
Just hours earlier, Hetherington had personally posted what turned out to be his final, foreboding Twitter message: "In besieged Libyan city of Misrata. Indiscriminate shelling by Qaddafi forces. No sign of NATO."
Our thoughts go out to his family and friends and to all the victims of uprisings throughout the world. We can only hope for a peaceful resolution, and soon.
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