While covering the war in Ukraine, Brent Renaud was killed
Adviser to the Ukrainian Ministry of Interior, Mr. Anton Gerashchenko, said that American journalist Brent Reno was killed in the fighting in a suburb of Kyiv, Ukraine.
Gerashchenko said Renault "gave his life in an attempt to show the brutality of the assailant".
Gerashchenko has shared a video of a Ukrainian dressed in police uniform, announcing Renault's death. The video shows what looks like Renault's body on the ground behind him. NPR has not been able to independently confirm this video.
Condolences are pouring in from everyone, especially from the president of the Nieman Foundation at Harvard University, where Reno has taken his colleagues before.
The New York Times also offered its condolences via Twitter and described Reno as a "talented photographer and filmmaker" who had contributed to The Times in the past. She added that he was not on assignment for The Times at the time of his death.
"Brent's filmmaking was exceptional, and what made it so was not only his abundant skill, but the kindness and profound humanity he brought into his work," said Anne-Marie Lipinski, Nieman's curator. "He told us that what he sought in his journalism was 'thoughtful stories about the underprivileged', and he adhered to this creed every day. His death is a great loss."
The Committee to Protect Journalists condemned Brent Renaud murder
"We are shocked and saddened to learn of the death of American journalist Brent Reno in Ukraine," CPJ's program director said in a statement. "This type of attack is completely unacceptable, and in violation of international law, and that Russian forces in Ukraine must stop all forms of violence against journalists and others Civilians at once, and everyone who killed Reno must be held accountable."
UNESCO Director-General condemns murder of Brent Renaud
The Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, condemned the killing of Reno and said: “Journalists should never be killed or tracked while covering war, and I call for respect for international humanitarian standards to ensure the protection of journalists and media professionals.”