State Department: Shooting outside U.S. consulate in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia claims life of local security guard

An incident of gun violence took place outside the U.S. Consulate General in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, resulting in the death of a local security guard, as confirmed by a State Department spokesperson on Wednesday. The attacker was subsequently killed by Saudi security forces.

The spokesperson reassured that appropriate security measures were in place, and no harm was inflicted upon any Americans during the attack. The safety of all official American and locally employed staff has been ensured. However, a thorough investigation into the incident is still underway.

According to a spokesperson for the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Police, the assailant parked his car near the American consulate in the port city on Wednesday evening, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency. He exited the vehicle armed with a firearm, leading to an exchange of gunfire with the consulate’s security authorities. Both the assailant and a Nepalese security guard employed by the consulate lost their lives during the confrontation, as stated by the police spokesperson.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased local guard member,” expressed the State Department spokesperson.