The reports from early Tuesday that a Fox News journalist was injured in a Russian attack in the suburbs of Kyiv took a more grim turn after reports that a fellow longtime Fox News employee was killed in the blast.
Pierre Zakrzewski, a beloved cameraman at the cable news network, was killed when the vehicle he and Fox News correspondent Benjamin Hall were traveling in was struck by artillery fire in Horenka, a suburb of the Ukrainian capital city.
Hall remains hospitalized from the injuries he sustained, Fox News reported.
An outpouring of thoughts and prayers from Fox News executives and stars followed the sad news.
“It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that we share the news this morning regarding our beloved cameraman Pierre Zakrzewski,” Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott said in a statement Tuesday.
“Pierre was a war zone photographer who covered nearly every international story for FOX News from Iraq to Afghanistan to Syria during his long tenure with us,” Scott said.
“His passion and talent as a journalist were unmatched,” the statement said. “Based in London, Pierre had been working in Ukraine since February.”
“His talents were vast and there wasn’t a role that he didn’t jump in to help with in the field — from photographer to engineer to editor to producer — and he did it all under immense pressure with tremendous skill,” Scott said.
“He was profoundly committed to telling the story and his bravery, professionalism, and work ethic were renowned among journalists at every media outlet. He was wildly popular — everyone in the media industry who has covered a foreign story knew and respected Pierre.”
“Pierre was a constant in all of our international coverage. I, like countless others, always felt an extra sense of reassurance when arriving on the scene and seeing him with camera in hand,” Fox News president Jay Wallace said Tuesday. “The legacy of his positive spirit, boundless energy, and eye for the story will carry on.”
“Pierre, we miss you. We are devastated,” Fox News’ White House correspondent Jacqui Heinrich wrote on Twitter.
“I worked with Pierre many times around the world,” John Roberts, star of “America Reports,” said. “He was an absolute treasure. Sending our most heartfelt prayers to Pierre’s wife and family.”
The White House also extended their condolences over the tragic loss of life —
“Our thoughts, our prayers are with his family, with the entire community as well,” White House press sec. Jen Psaki says after Fox News announces cameraman Pierre Zakrzewski was killed while newsgathering in Ukraine. https://t.co/2BefUtamxi pic.twitter.com/wM5cVReLQt
— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) March 15, 2022