Tragedy in Beijing

Two relatives of the U.S. Olympic men's volleball team were attacked, one fatally, in Beijing on Saturday while sight-seeing, according to state officials. The knife wielding attacker then lept to his death from the scene at the historic Drum Tower. An investigation is underway and there is no motive known as of yet. The violent incident occurred just five miles from the main Olympic site and hours after the Opening Ceremonies. The team has not made an official statement and they are expected to make their Olympic start on Sunday against Venezuala. According to the Boston Globe, Chinese citizens are being kept quiet:

Many neighbors declined to discuss anything about what they know or saw, amid the swarm of international media that arrived at the scene within a couple of hours of the alleged incident.

"We know some things but we can't talk," said one resident. Throughout this site, police officers were stationed, as well as neighborhood security volunteers who seemed to be watching closely who was talking to reporters.

There is nothing to suggest that the attacks were Olympic related or that they victims were targeted by being American. An official statement will be made by the U.S. Olympic Committee as more details are learned. The U.S. Embassy is working with the victim's families and our hearts go out to the team, the coach, and his relatives.