U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens dedicated himself to helping the people of Libya before he was killed in a violent protest over a movie that offended Islam. INSIDE EDITION has the latest details.
U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens made a video to introduce himself to the people of Libya, saying, "I'm Chris Stevens and I'm the new Libyan Ambassador."
Stevens told how he was dedicating himself to helping Libyans rebuild after the turmoil of dictator Gadhafi's regime. He had actually been an adivisor to the rebels who toppled Gadhadfi.
Just four months later, Stevens is dead at the hands of the people he was trying to help. He was heroically trying to evacuate his staff when the American Consultate in Benghazi was hit by gunfire and rocket-propelled grenades by protesters furious about a movie that mocks Islam.
President Obama said at a press conference, "Libyans helped some of our diplomats find safety and they carried Ambassador Stevens' body to the hospital where we tragically learned that he had died."
In photos, the devastation the rioters caused to the consulate is clearly visible.
Here is what we're learning about Stevens: He's a graduate of Berkeley. He was a Peace Corps volunteer in Morocco. He's single. He's a big fan of the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team.
Hillary Clinton said at a press conference, "He risked his life to stop a tyrant. Then gave his life trying to help build a better Libya."
Three other Americans died in the attack. Diplomat Sean Smith, a father of two young daughters, was one of them. Smith was an avid online video gamer and recently spoke at a gamer conference in Iceland.
Smith was actually online when the shooting erupted in Benghazi.
"He said 'gunfire' and then disconnected and never returned," a fellow gamer says.
Meanwhile, debate is raging about the movie that triggered the riots.
Barbara Walters said on The View, "We have to be aware of these sensitivites. It is the world we are all living in."
Elisabeth Hasselbeck said, "I don't think any sort of insult that would be wrong is ever justified through the killing of other people."
The New York Post's reviewer says the picture is "the most thoroughly inept piece of filmmaking I've had the misfortune to watch in 30 years."
Sharon Waxman of thewrap.com told INSIDE EDITION, "It's a rather crude depiction of the prophet Muhammad. It's very denigrating of the prophet Muhammad."
