21-Year-Old College Student From Chevy Chase Is Killed In Egypt Protests
CHEVY CHASE, Md. (WJZ)--A 21-year-old college student from Maryland is killed during this week's violent protests in Egypt.
Now, we're learning more from family and friends about why he was there.
Fierce and violent protests in Egypt claim the life of a 21-year-old college student from Chevy Chase, Maryland. The state department says Andrew Pochter was a bystander taking photographs during the clashes on Friday when he was stabbed and killed by a protester.
Pochter was a student at Kenyon College in Ohio. He was in Egypt for the summer interning for the non-profit organization, AMIDEAST, which eaches English overseas.
His college mentor said Andrew wanted to help others and believed in getting involved.
Monique Griego reports.
"Andrew was one of those rare students who lived what he believed in. His passion was learning about other people and other cultures, particularly about the Middle East," said Jewish Chaplain Marc Bragin.
His family released a statement speaking to the love and passion Andrew had for the work he was doing there.
It said quote: "He went to Egypt because he cared profoundly about the Middle East. He had studied the region, loved the culture and planned to live and work there in the pursuit of peace and understanding," he said.
One friend described Andrew as a nice guy trying to make a difference.
"It's just so sad that he's off doing something that's like, so admirable, and, you know, something like that happens to him," said his friend Will Stabler.
Egyptian prosecutors ordered the arrest of several suspects in connection to Pochter's murder.
Meantime, Americans are being told to stay out of Egypt if possible.
More mass protests are expected tomorrow.
