American photojournalist Luke Somers was born in London 33 years ago, but chose Beloit College in Wisconsin for his liberal arts education. Somers was killed during a failed rescue attempt in Yemen.
Somers was kidnapped more than a year ago by al-Qaeda militants in Yemen. He was in the country as a freelance photojournalist. Somers and another hostage, South African teacher Pierre Korkie, were killed when U.S. forces and the government of Yemen attempted a rescue.
Somers studied creative writing at Beloit College and earned his degree in 2008. The school issued a statement Saturday morning about their alumnus:
The Beloit College community this morning is grappling with news of the loss of Luke Somers, a 2008 graduate of the college. We offer our sincerest condolences to his mother, siblings, and family, to his classmates and friends, and to the people he courageously and selflessly served in Yemen. We are proud to be associated with Luke and so sorry the world has lost him.
