Cooper City Humanitarian Killed In African Al Qaeda Attack
Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter
COOPER CITY (CBSMiami) -- A South Florida native and Christian missionary was among those killed by an al Qaeda group who opened fire at a cafe in Burkina Faso, West Africa on Friday.
The family of Michael Riddering, 45, from Cooper City, announced he was one of 28 people killed in the attack in the city of Ouagadougou.
Pastors and people from Hollywood to Cooper City who knew him told CBS4's Peter D'Oench that he was devoted to his work as a missionary.
"I am just sad," said Jonathan Bromir of Cooper City, who had known Riddering for years and was a neighbor. "The first thing that comes to mind is how nice a guy he was, how genuine he was."
Bromir's father Michael said, "He was devoted to his work as a missionary. He was the type of guy who would give you anything if you needed something. He would be the first one to help you out."
Officials said Islamic fighters stormed a cafe and hotel, popular among Westerners, and began firing on the crowd. The siege lasted more than 12 hours before security forces were able to take back control of the hotel, killing at least three extremists and rescuing 126 people.
Carol Boyle, Riddering's mother-in-law, said before the attack, Riddering was at the cafe meeting a volunteer group for the orphanage and women's crisis center he ran with his wife, Amy Boyle-Riddering.
She said Riddering was also with a pastor and, as the gunmen stormed inside, they ran in different directions. The pastor hid in the cafe and survived. Riddering was later discovered at the morgue.
Riddering is survived by his wife and four children, two of whom are adopted Burkinabe children. The Ridderings operate under Sheltering Wings, an American Christian mission organization based in Burkina Faso that runs an orphanage, medical clinic, several elementary schools and a technical school.
Friends and family said he devoted his life to helping others.
"We are saddened by the death of our friend and missionary Mike Riddering. Mike devoted his life to the people of Burkina Faso, demonstrating the beauty and love of Jesus. Hollywood Community Church is truly honored to have been his home church and most importantly his faith family," said Pastor Brian Burkholder of HCC.
Burkholder told D'Oench, "Two things come to mind: how much Mike loved people and how much he loved Jesus. We feel Mike was a modern day martyr, that he would lose his life doing the work of Jesus and the work of God calling him. He will be greatly missed. Mike was my friend."
Fortunately, the Pembroke Pines volunteer group that was set to meet with Riddering never arrived to the cafe. Upon hearing news of the attacks, their flight was rerouted and are currently making arrangements to return to the U.S.
"We are grateful that our team is safe, but are grieving with the Riddering family," said Pastor Robey Barnes of West Pines Community Church.
Barnes added, "He believed Jesus gave everything out of love for human beings and Mike, himself,
sacrificed everything. Many people might see this as a lesson that you have to be more careful. Security for us is always a top concern. But the message from both churches is that Mike sacrificed a great deal to help the hurting. And that was his legacy."
A memorial service is planned for after the family's return to South Florida.
Riddering's wife Amy posted a message on Facebook which said in part, "Heaven has gained a warrior... an amazing father to his children and a papa to everyone... Mike was an example in the way he lived... you left quite a legacy."