Friends Remember Humanitarian Killed By Al-Qaeda

A humanitarian's life continues to offer hope less than a week after his death.

Chris Leggett grew up in Cleveland but moved to Africa several years ago to help the the people of Mauritania. He died tragically last Tuesday and his visitation was held Monday night.

Friends say Leggett simply loved people. They tell us he was following his faith when he moved to Africa and now they're having to rely on faith to weather this tragedy.

Leggett's friends and family members stepped inside the First Baptist Church of Cleveland Monday night to pay their final respects. Leggett and his family moved to Mauritania in West Africa six years ago. Last week two men reportedly shot Leggett after they tried to kidnap him. Since then Al-Qaeda's North African branch has claimed responsibility for his murder.

"I think instantly and even still there is a tremendous amount of sadness in my heart as to just wow the tragedy of this, but at the same time as a person that desires to follow Christ it's unbelievable the admiration and the inspiration this provides for us to go out and love people," Stan Gibson says.

Stan Gibson grew up with Leggett and tells us the humanitarian full heartedly decided to move to Africa where he headed a school for computer science and languages.

"He is a guy that would have a smile on his face," Gibson says. "I knew his love for people and you know it doesn't make a lot of logical sense when we think of it in those terms but obviously being people of faith and desiring for people to know the love of Jesus Christ we know that just however we can love and serve people is something that becomes important to us."

Leggett grew up going to the First Baptist Church in Cleveland and Gibson tells us that's where they met and formed a friendship based on faith.

"We'd get together in the basement of our home and pray and when you pray god leads you to do some amazing things and that's what I see in Chris' life," Gibson says.

A life which Gibson says offered a bright spot in a world that can be filled with disarray.

"I do want them to know in light of this tragedy that he was willing to give up his life so others might live in Christ," Gibson says.

Leggett's friends say that his family needs some help right now and if you'd like to make a donation in his memory all you have to do is contact the First Baptist Church of Cleveland - (423) 476 5526.

Leggett's funeral will be held Tuesday at 2:00PM at the First Baptist Church of Cleveland.