American volunteer medic killed in Ukraine
An American volunteer medic was killed in Ukraine on Thursday while helping civilians evacuate, according to his family and Global Outreach Doctors, the humanitarian organization he was volunteering with.
Pete Reed, 33, died after his evacuation vehicle was hit with a reported missile in Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine, according to Global Outreach Doctors.
"Pete was a beacon of humanitarian work -- an incredible visionary, leader, compassionate care provider, and an inspiration to us all," Global Outreach Doctors founder and president Andrew Lustig said in a statement on social media Friday. "He selflessly dedicated his life in service to others, especially those affected by disaster and war. Pete accomplished more in his 33 years than most of us in our entire lives. He leaves behind an incredible legacy."
His family said that Reed was responding to wounded civilians when his ambulance was shelled.
"He died doing what he was great at, what gave him life, and what he loved, and apparently by saving a team member with his own body," his family said in a statement shared to social media on Friday. "As you can imagine we are all in shock and have much to do to get him home so we ask for privacy presently."
Reed was a former U.S. Marine who joined Global Outreach Doctors in January to serve as its Ukraine country director, Lustig said.
The State Department did not name Reed directly, in accordance with its standard privacy practices, though a spokesperson confirmed the death of a U.S. citizen in Ukraine and said that officials from the department "are in touch with the family and providing all possible consular assistance."