Texas University Confirms Death Of American Killed In Nairobi Hotel Terror Attack

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 16th January, 2019) The University of Texas at Austin confirmed in a statement on Wednesday that one of its students was the American killed during a terrorist attack in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi earlier this week.

"We are saddened about the death of Jason Spindler who was killed in the Kenyan terror attack this week," the school said via Twitter. "Jason was a McCombs Finance graduate. Our hearts and prayers are with his family and loved ones."

The 40-year-old Spindler was a survivor of the September 11, 2001 World Trade Center terrorist attacks, media reported citing his brother.

Spindler was the founder and managing director of I-Dev International, which is a business development firm based in Nairobi, according to reports.

On Tuesday, militants stormed the Dusit hotel complex in the Kenyan capital. The country's law enforcement agencies have categorized the assault as a terrorist attack. Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta said on Wednesday that the attack had claimed the lives of 14 civilians and all the attackers had been killed in a special operation by the authorities.

Islamist militant group Al Shabab, which operates mainly in neighboring Somalia, has claimed responsibility for the gun-and-bomb attack. Aside from Spindler, one United Kingdom national was also said to be among the victims of the attack.