A highly acclaimed German photographer who worked for The Associated Press for years was killed on Friday after an Afghan policeman opened fire on her car.
An AP reporter sitting next to her was injured, Fox News reported.
Anja Niedringhaus, 48, was killed at the scene while Kathy Gannon was hit twice by gunshots and taken to a medical facility for treatment, said an AP television freelancer who saw the incident.
“Anja and Kathy together have spent years in Afghanistan covering the conflict and the people there,” said AP Executive Editor Kathleen Carroll, from New York. “Anja was a vibrant, dynamic journalist, well-loved for her insightful photographs, her warm heart and joy for life. We are heartbroken at her loss.”
Ms. Niedringhaus and Ms. Gannon were traveling as part of a convoy of election workers, AP reported. The convoy stopped shortly in a heavily guarded area of the Tani district when a unit commander from the police force approached their vehicle, screamed “Allahu Akbar,” or God is great, and starting firing at them with an AK-47, AP reported.
He was immediately arrested by other police.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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