A U.S. citizen, reportedly employed by an American school in Alexandria, was fatally stabbed Friday in that city after being caught in clashes between supporters and opponents of embattled Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi.
Local news accounts gave differing names for the victim. The U.S. Embassy did not respond to requests for comment.
Gen. Amin Ezz al Din, the head of security in Alexandria, said the man, whom he identified as 21 years old, was killed about 3:30 p.m. as he was filming clashes “with a small camera.” Din said the victim was swept up in a fight and was stabbed in the chest “with some sort of machete.”
Protesters dragged his body to an ambulance where paramedics declared him dead, Din said. A Health Ministry official also confirmed an American death but provided no details.
“Those who killed him and others are suspected thugs,” Din told McClatchy.
Reached by phone, Marc J. Sievers, the U.S. deputy chief of mission in Cairo, said questions about a possible dead American at 10 p.m. were “really inappropriate.”
“We have a press office for that,” he said, before hanging up.
About an hour later, the U.S. Embassy in Cairo tweeted: “We are seeking to confirm report of American death in alexandria. thank you for concern.”
There were several versions of the victim’s name and the school where he worked. McClatchy could not confirm any of the reports. At one of the schools, an official declined to comment.
Alexandria has been particularly hostile during protests, especially to foreigners taking pictures. But it was not certain whether his filming events played a role in his death.