directorbot@goonfleet.com/directorbot: My people, I have greivous news. Vile Rat has been confirmed to be KIA in Benghazi; his family has been informed and the news is likely to break out on the wire services soon. Needless to say, we are in shock, have no words, and have nothing but sympathy for his family and children. I have known Vile Rat since 2006, he was one of the oldest of old-guard goons and one of the best and most effective diplomats this game has ever seen.
His family are in our thoughts and prayers.
*** This was a broadcast from the_mittani to all-all, replies are not monitored ***
Eurogamer reports:
The US official killed during a US consulate attack in the Libyan city of Benghazi was Sean Smith, otherwise known Eve Online player Vile Rat – director of the notorious Goonswarm alliance and former member of the player-elected Council of Stellar Management.
BBC News reported that armed militiamen raided the compound with grenades and then set it on fire. They had been protesting about a US-produced film they claimed insulted the Prophet Mohammed. One other American was injured.
The Guardian explains the nature of the attack:
“One American staff member has died and a number have been injured in the clashes,”
Abdel-Monem Al-Hurr, spokesman for Libya’s supreme security committee, said, adding that he did not know the exact number of injured.
Gunmen attacked the compound in the eastern city on Tuesday evening, clashing with Libyan security forces before the latter withdrew as they came under heavy fire. Reuters reporters on the scene saw looters raiding the compound, walking off with desks, chairs and washing machines. A security official said a fire was burning inside the consulate and that staff had been evacuated. Three injured members of the Libyan security forces taken away in an ambulance.
The gunmen formed part of a group protesting against a US film they say is blasphemous.
The incident followed a protest in Egypt where demonstrators scaled the walls of the US embassy, tore down the American flag and burned it during a protest over the same film, which attacks Islam’s prophet, Muhammad.
The film, clips of which are available on YouTube, depicts Muhammad as a fraud, showing him having sex and calling for massacres. Muslims find it offensive to depict Muhammad in any fashion, much less in an insulting way.
On behalf of the entire EN24 staff: R.I.P Sean “VR” Smith and we wish his family our deepest condolences.
- R