Fox News cameraman Pierre Zakrzewski has been killed in Ukraine while reporting on the ongoing Russian invasion, according to a statement from the network.
“America’s Newsroom” anchor Bill Hemmer announced the tragic news during Tuesday morning’s broadcast, referring to Zakrzewski as “an absolute legend” and adding, “his loss is devastating.”
#BREAKING: Fox News announces cameraman Pierre Zakrzewski was killed yesterday in the attack that left Benjamin Hall injured.@BillHemmer called him "an absolute legend" who "cover[ed] wars in Iraq & Afghanistan & Syria" and "his loss is devastating." pic.twitter.com/4YYrZcQD0l
— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) March 15, 2022
“We’ve got some very difficult news to share with you now. FOX News cameraman Pierre Zakrzewski has died in Ukraine. He was working with our Benjamin Hall when incoming fire hit their vehicle outside of Kyiv,” Hemmer reported.
“Pierre Zakrzewski was an absolute legend at this network and his loss is devastating. He has been with us for years covering wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and Syria. Our CEO, Suzanne Scott, noted a few moments ago that Pierre ‘jumped in to help out with all sorts of roles in the field – photographer, engineer, editor and producer – and he did it all under immense pressure and with tremendous skill.'”
“The president of FOX, Jay Wallace, says that everyone always felt an extra sense of reassurance when they arrived on the scene, and they saw that Pierre was there. He was professional, he was a journalist, and he was a friend,” Hemmer concluded. “We here at the Fox News Channel want to offer our deepest condolences to Pierre’s wife, Michelle, and his entire family. Pierre Zakrzewski was only 55 years old, and we miss him already.”
Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott released a statement early Tuesday, and The Daily Wire obtained a copy of the memo:
It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that we share the news this morning regarding our beloved cameraman Pierre Zakrzewski. Pierre was killed in Horenka, outside Kyiv, Ukraine. Pierre was with Benjamin Hall yesterday newsgathering when their vehicle was struck by incoming fire.
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 his. His passion and talent as a journalist were unmatched. Based in London, Pierre had been working in Ukraine since February. His talents were vast and there wasn’t a role 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. He was profoundly committed to 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.
Last year, he played a key role in getting our Afghan freelance associates and their families out of the country after the U.S. withdrawal. In December at our annual employee Spotlight Awards, Pierre was given the “Unsung Hero” award in recognition of his invaluable work.
Jay Wallace said it best this morning — “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. The legacy of his positive spirit, boundless energy and eye for the story will carry one.”
We extend our deepest condolences to Pierre;s wife Michelle and family — please keep them all in your prayers. And please continued to pray for Benjamin Hall, who remains hospitalized in Ukraine. We will continued to be in touch with any further updates as needed.
Today is a heartbreaking day for FOX News Media and for all journalists risking their lives to deliver the news. I leave you with pictures of Pierre in the field doing what he loved.
Fox News reported on Monday that war correspondent Benjamin Hall had been injured while reporting in Ukraine, and remains hospitalized for the time being.