U.S. Diplomat from Buffalo Killed in Africa

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U.S. Diplomat from Buffalo Killed in Africa

Posted by: Maria Sisti, Assignment Editor

Created: 1/1/2008 10:31:06 AM
Updated: 1/1/2008 1:16:27 PM

A native of south Buffalo and his driver were shot and killed New Year's morning in Sudan in eastern Africa.

Family members confirm to Channel 2 News John Granville, 33, died in the early morning attack in Sudan's capital city, Khartoum. He was a graduate of Canisius High School and Fordham University. MSNBC identified his Sudanese driver as 40-year-old Abdel Rahman Abbas.

MSNBC reports the two were shot and killed as their car was heading to a western suburb of Sudan's capital city, Khartoum. It's not known if Granville was targeted or if this was a random attack.

NBC says Granville worked for the United States Agency for International Development on a program to bring radios to the people of South Sudan.

This morning, his family sent this statement to 2 On Your Side:

"The family of John Granville was notified by the State Department early this morning that John was shot and fatally injured in Khartoum, Sudan. John grew up in Buffalo, where he graduated from Canisius High School and then went on to graduate from Fordham University.

He was a Peace Corps volunteer in Cameroon, Africa, where he lived in a rural village and built its first school. Africa became very special to John. He completed a Master's degree in International Development from Clark University and was working for the U.S. Foreign Service as a diplomat. John was part of a team trying to negotiate peace in Sudan.

John's life was a celebration of love, hope and peace. He will be missed by many people throughout the world whose lives were touched and made better because of his care."

John's family also tells 2 On Your Side they're working with Congressman Brian Higgins to get John's sister a passport so she can fly to Africa and bring her brother's body home.

Stay tuned to Channel 2 News and wgrz.com for updates on this developing story.

First off, my heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.

Does anyone know what:

NBC says Granville worked for the United States Agency for International Development on a program to bring radios to the people of South Sudan.

means?

[Sylvan]

Means that Granville was a soldier for the "human conditioning" authority.

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Sending radios to Africa? Well at least we are exporting something in this country!