Ronnie Smith was an American teaching at the international school in Libya. On Friday, he was shot while exercising outside. White House Spokesman Jay Carney says the U.S. will “look to the Libyan government to thoroughly investigate this killing,” while Libya’s state news agency, LANA, says the “cowardly act in no way reflects the morals and traditions of the Libyan society.”
Smith was a beloved teacher and friends, family and students are mourning his death. The international school in Benghazi stated: “The untimely death of Ronnie Smith has been felt by the whole school community. He was a much loved teacher who supported students in their learning and always had time to help when asked. Ronnie was a professional who gave his time freely and without question. We do not understand why this has happened and it is extremely difficult for his students and his colleagues to accept.”
Noor Hewhaidi wrote on the school’s Facebook page that Smith “believed in his students, and that’s the greatest gift any teacher can grant a child. And we’re thankful for that. Let’s continue to live by his principles, let’s finish the job he started.”
