American Killed in Saudi Arabia - An unidentified US national has been killed and another injured by a man who worked in the same company with them in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi police have revealed in a statement that the attack occurred in the afternoon east of the capital Radiyah on Tuesday.
The American killed in Saudi Arabia and his colleague reportedly pulled their vehicle into a filling station before they came under attack. Reports indicate that the suspect behind the attack has since been apprehended.
According to the Saudi Interior Ministry, the 25-years-old suspect, identified as Abdul Aziz bin Fahad al-Rasheed, was born in the US. He reportedly also worked in Vinnell Arabia - the US-owned military contractor company where both victims were employed. But al-Rasheed had been dismissed from the company recently due to issues related to his conduct and drug abuse.
There are no apparent connections between this attack and the ongoing war against Islamic extremism and terrorism in the Middle East.
There have been concerns over growing anti-western sentiments in Saudi Arabia. Reports indicate that many Saudi nationals have fled their home country to join in the ranks of the Islamic State. Meanwhile, the Saudi government has offered to support the US-led air strikes against the ravaging terrorists.
It is unclear what the nature of the relationship between the American killed in Saudi Arabia and the suspect was and what could have been the motive of the brazen attack.
John Kerry, Secretary of the US State Department, has noted the government is in contact with Saudi authorities who are investigating the incident.
"We are in the process of evaluating our security posture and will take appropriate steps to ensure the safety of all U.S. Mission personnel," Jen Psaki, spokesperson for the State Department is quoted saying.
The American killed in Saudi Arabia will go down as a blemish on the overly impeccable record of mutual trust and cooperation between the US and the Arabian kingdom.
