steven b. williams. >> and i see this light on the beach. and i thought, now, what can that be? i dropped my cell phone and it had landed face-up and the panel was lighting up and i walked over to it, and i picked it up and it was ken clark, detective clark, calling to tell me they had arrested harvey. it was a real great sense of relief. it was almost indescribable. >> reporter: which is, perhaps, where the movie version of this story would end. but real life is not quite like that. for all the suspicion of steven's friends, the murder case against harvey morrow was rather weak. no evidence sufficient to prove that harvey shot steven and dumped his body in the ocean. >> we were looking for steven's dna on the boat, knowing that his death was caused by a gunshot wound. it was pretty obvious that there should be something that said this is where it was. >> reporter: but there wasn't. no blood, no gun. no significant fingerprints. what they needed, couldn't find, was something that put the two me

chris stevens was recognized by all of them. they knew chris stevens.tes of america. so, those are memories that i will never forget and i hope that his family will appreciate the magnificent service that chris stevens provided to this nation. >> in his weekly address, president obama talked about the attack on an victims of the u.s. consulate of libya. then the republican response and the defense budget and proposed sequestration caught. -- cut its. >> this week in libya, we lost four of our fellow americans, glenn doherty, carolyn woods, sean smith and chris stevens were all killed on an outrageous attack in our post in benghazi. these americans represented the best of our country. glenn and tyrone had served in america's navy seal for many years before their continued service providing security for our diplomats. they died defending their fellow americans advancing the values that all was cold beer. -- but all of us hold dear. shawn also started his service in uniform, in the air force. he then spent years at the state department, on several continen

this is ambassador chris stevens. killed, presumably targeted in his car, along with three other u.s. workers, as they were leaving this embassy. rather the consulate in benghazi. just last year this was the nucleus of the rebel movement in libya. and here he is, this is a place where he is targeted and killed. this also happening after there were protests at the u.s. embassy in cairo and at the u.s. consulate in benghazi where both walls were breached and one worker in benghazi in addition to these were killed. >> as an awfully big coincidence that this all did happen on the same day. a lot of people wondering this morning, were they somehow connected? at this point we just don't know. we are looking into find out more facts. >> motivation. >> the motivation behind the people that did it. barbara starr at the pentagon, reporting that more marines are heading to benghazi now to help with security in benghazi and, i'm sure, across the region. >> we'll take a quick break. are we taking a quick break? sure, we'll take a

stevens was raised in piedmont. >>> ambassador stevens' body and those of the other victims will be on their way to a u.s. military base in germany before heading home. a marine anti-terrorist team is on the ground providing security. the ambassador is again many that means here and in washington there's mourning. >> as an lamb an -- as-salaam alaikum. my name is chris stevens. >> the piedmont native spent most of his diplomatic career in the arab world with two tours in libya before he was appointed in may. five months after getting the job his life came to a violent and chaotic end when protesters stormed the embassy in benghazi. >> we condemn in the strongest terms, this senseless act of violence. we send our prayers to the families, friends and colleagues of those we've lost. >> three other americans died in the attack which was patient fully reaction to an online movie made by a california film maker that in s islam and the prophet mohammed. president obama took to the coast garden7laÑu to vow killers would be brought to justice. >> the president: we are working to secure our dipl

stevens was raised in piedmont. >>> ambassador stevens' body and those of the other victims will be on their way to a u.s. military base in germany before heading home. a marine anti-terrorist team is on the ground providing security. the ambassador is again many that means here and in washington there's mourning. >> as an lamb an -- as-salaam alaikum. my name is chris stevens. >> the piedmont native spent most of his diplomatic career in the arab world with two tours in libya before he was appointed in may. five months after getting the job his life came to a violent and chaotic end when protesters stormed the embassy in benghazi. >> we condemn in the strongest terms, this senseless act of violence. we send our prayers to the families, friends and colleagues of those we've lost. >> three other americans died in the attack which was patient fully reaction to an online movie made by a california film maker that in s islam and the prophet mohammed. president obama took to the coast garden7laÑu to vow killers would be brought to justice. >> the president: we are working to secure our dipl

christopher stevens. tripoli has not been given much information about this. they are not confirming this report yet. we'll have to wait and see. the libyan government, too, has not issued any official statements, but within an hour, we expect to hear from the libyan prime minister and the speaker of the libyan parliament who are holding a joint press conference to address this issue. there has been condemnation sued straight away after the attacks took place last night. saying that this is unacceptable, and this is not what the new libya is about. this is definitely a big blow to libya as it tries to re-establish its contacts and relations with the international community. >> jomaha, reuters is reporting that the staff members and the ambassador were killed when gunmen fired rockets at them. what can you tell us about that. >> according to eyewitnesses on the ground yesterday near the consulate, described the situation there as -- they said that members of a radical islamic oup did show up outside the em

chris stevens is the first u.s.mbassador to i do at -- de at the hands of terrorists in more than three decades. james rosen is life in washington. james? >> shep, good evening, a northern california native john christopher stevens graduated from the university of california at berkeley and volunteered for the peace corps in the early 80's. he would spend two years in the hills of morocco teaching english. he fell in love with this volatile region. during the arab spring clinton tapped stevens who become washington wants envoy to the libyan rebels. at that time stevens arrived in benghazi the city where he later died on a cargo ship. four months ago stevens starred in this cross cultural outreach video in which the placed subtitles. >> since joining the foreign service, i have spent almost my entire career in the middle east and knot africa. one of the things that impressed me when i was last in libya listening to stories from the people who are old enough to have traveled and studied in the united states, back when

ambassador chris stevens. they condemned the film. >> freeddom of speech. -- freedom of speech. >> bothers lot of people. i think they should. >> reporter: the afghanistan governor is banning youtube till the movie is taken down. >> they have trouble blocking this stuff, afghanistan, they can talk about doing it, they don't have the capability of doing it. >> what the ads said a war support israel and this was problematic for the community. >> reporter: she says it prompted a discussion in the muslim community about free speech and whether it is sometimes best to ignore provocations. they are curious to see the film. >> i haven't had a chance to view it but i was trying to check it out to see what everything is about on it. >> reporter: youtube did not return our request for comment. the california filmmaker is said to be in hiding. reporting live in san francisco, david stevenson, ktvu channel 2 news. >> www.ktvu.com has complete coverage of the attack, including a slide show of the protesters. >>> a man affi

the world needs more chris stevens.er he will be remembered as a hero by many nations. sean smith was an air force veteran. he spent 10 years as an information management officer in the state department. libya posted aand was in as -- for a brief temporary assignment. he was a husband to his wife, heather, with whom i spoke this morning. he was a father to two young children. samantha and nathan. they will grow up being proud of the service their father gave to our country. service that took him from to baghdad. commission that drew chris and sean and their colleagues to libya is both noble and necessary. we and the people of libya honor their memory by carrying it forward. this is not easy. today, many americans are asking, indeed, i ask myself, how could this happen? how could this happen in a country we helped to liberate, in a city we helped save from destruction? this question reflects just how complicated and, at times, how confounding the world can be. but we must be clear-eyed, even in our grief. this was an att

chris stevens was a friend to all libyans. chris stevens was a friend. that's the message these four patriotsent. that's the message that each of you sends every day. civilians, military, to people in every corner of the world. that america is a friend. and that we care not just about our own country, about our own interests, but about theirs. that even as voices of suspicion and mistrust seek to divide countries and cultures from one another, the united states of america will never retreat from the world. we will never stop working for the dignity and freedom that every person deserves, whatever their creed. whatever their faith. that's the essence of american leadership. that's the spirit that sets us apart from other nations. this was their work in benghazi. this is the work we will carry on. to you, their families and colleagues, to all americans, know this. their sacrifice will never be forgotten. we will bring to justice those who took them from us. we will stand fast against the violence on our diplomatic missions. we will continue to do everythin

chris stevens was recognized by all of them. they knew chris stevens, and they knew he represented, the united states of america. so those are memories that i will never forget, and i hope that his family will appciate the magnificent service that have been killed since 1780. madam speaker, i have to say that the newsthe tragic death of chris stevens in benghazi, the u.s. consulate in libya, is very sad news for all of us. now the upheaval in the arab world has brought about many great things for the first time in millennia, there have been individuals who have been able to paicipate in elections. and make decisions. but then we get the sad and tragic news that ambassador stevens and, according to the early reports, two marines, maybe another foreign officer was killed in this tragic attack and i'd like to say that we have spent time there. we were just in libya, mr. price and i, before ambassador stevens arrived and libya has held out great promise. i'm determined, as i know mr. price is, to ensure that the promise we saw sever

we'll also hear from stevens' family and friends. and more why google won't remove the controversial video being blamed for the uprising. first, details on what's happening now. >> what happened last night was heartbreaking. >> reporter: the president tonight in an interview with telemundo, promised a full investigation. tonight, the pentagon is sending two u.s. warships to the libyan coast. and dozens of marines to the region. so far, no word on specific orders. the u.s. consulate building was burned and riddled with bullets. >> my name is chris stevens. and i'm the new ambassador. >> reporter: stevens and three others were killed. four flag-draped coffins followed an emotional scene. >>> cheryl hurd joins us from berkeley, where the spirit of chris stevens is shining brightly tonight. cheryl? >> reporter: it is, indeed. it was a somber evening here in berkeley tonight. the candlelight vigil started with a moment of silence, for a man they call their brother. these members of the alpha tau omega fraternity didn't know christopher st

ambassador to libya. >> pelley: stevens was 52. he first went to the middle east as a young volunteer with the peace corps. >> i worked as an english teacher in the a town in the high atlas mountains in morocco for two years and quickly grew to love this part of the world. since joining the foreign service i've spent almost my entire career in the middle east and north africa. >> pelley: in the early days of libya's revolution, stevens arrived in benghazi by cargo ship to meet with the rebels who would overthrow moammar qaddafi. secretary of state clinton said that he risked his life to stop a tyrant then gave his life to build a better libya. also killed was sean smith, an air force veteran. he spent ten years in the state department as an information management officer. he served all over the world and was in libya on temporary assignment. the state department won't say who the two other victims are until their families have been notified. that internet film that ridicules the muslim faith also touched off a protest at the u.s. e

so you stevens is reportedly pushing for romney to keep dodging the specifics.ll of this is happening as the specifics of steven's only life are becoming quite an issue. this guy is kind of amazing. not only is he a strategy and an ad maker and speech writer but he is also an adventurer, and a hollywood screen writer and on top of all of that he was a strategist, for bob dole mccain, and george w. bush. now romney is trying to place the problems squarely on steven's shoulders. hum. but it is really stevens' fault or is he maybe beingscape goated as republicans trip over each other running away from mitt romney. here is the truth. it isn't the strategist it's not even the candidate. but the truth is it's the policies stupid. as conservative commentator dave frum tweeted this morning . . . and you know what he's right? the majority of americans just are not buying what the republicans are selling. republicans are pushing tax cuts for the wealthy, but a whopping 58% of americans believe the wealthy aren't paying their fair share according to pew research center. th

i spoke with his sister -- chris stevens. i spoke with his sister, ann, this morning and told her he will be a hero by many nations. shawn smith was an air force veteran. he spent ten years as an information management officer in the state department. he was posted at the hague and was in libya on a brief, temporary assignment. he was a husband to his rife, heather, with whom i spoke this moving -- morning. he was a father to two young children, samantha and nathan. they will grow up proud of their father for the service he gave to our country, the service that took us toback and finally to benghazi. the mission that drew them to libya is both noble and necessary and we and the people of libya honor their memory by carrying it forward. this is not easy. today, many americans are asking, indeed, i asked myself, how could this happen? how could this happen in a country we helped liberate in a city we helped save from destruction? this question reflects just how complicated and at times how confounding the world can be. but we m

ambassador stevens was missing. one official says stevens and possibly others were trying to escape to the roof. the ambassador, he tells cnn, ultimately succumb to smoke inhalation. in the chaos consulate staff attempted to enter the building to try and find and save the men. secretary of state hillary clinton praised the libyans who she said helped fight off the attackers and carried ambassador stevens' body to the hospital. >> this was an attack by a small and savage group, not the people or government of libya. >> reporter: at this point, state department officials believe the attack was planned in advance but do not believe ambassador stevens was directly targeted. nicholas burns, a former top state department official tells cnn u.s. diplomats are facing an incendiary situation in the middle east. >> the cruel irony here is that the united states is well-regarded in libya. and there's a moderate government in place. and this is clearly the actions of an isolated and very small but very vicious terrorist group.

>> reporter: raj, stevens studied history here at uc berkeley. the chancellor says he had a passion for making the world a better and more peaceful place. perhaps nowhere is his loss being felt more tonight than here in the east bay. >> just couldn't believe it. went through the usual denial, kind of hoping that wasn't the chris stevens. but of course i knew he was in libya. so it had to be him. >> reporter: george sharpenberger spent the day thinking about his friend and fellow peace corps member chris stevens. the two served together in the peace corps in the '80s. the uc berkeley grad taught english to kids in a small moroccan town. sharpenberger says even back then stevens dreamed of becoming an ambassador. >> he fell in love with morocco and that part of the world. it was kind of a spark that shaped the rest of his career. >> reporter: the east bay native went on to study law at uc hastings in san francisco. >> if he was in town, he would pop in my office or leave a card or something. >> reporter: law professor david levine kept in touch wit

he first heard that ambassador stevens was unaccounted for and then later this morning told that stevens had actually been killed. the first u.s. ambassador to be killed by terrorists since 1979, one of only six in u.s. history. the president put out a statement earlier this morning, condemning the attacks and saying, "on a personal note, chris was a courageous and exemplary representative of the united states. throughout the libyan revolution, he selflessly served our country and the libyan people at our mission in benghazi." he'll say more in that statement in the rose garden shortly. and we also expect that he will address the security situation, not just for state department officials in libya but at missions and for diplomats all around the world. we do know he'll be joined by secretary of state hillary clinton at that event in the rose garden as well. he's set to hit the campaign trail later today, charlie and nora, heading to nevada and then to colorado. >> thank you, nancy. we'll get back to you as well. >>> we're going to head to david martin at the pentagon. how is the u.s. mil

and we know the name christopher stevens, u.s. ambassador to libya, just 52 years old with a remarkable career. take a look. chris stevens was sent to libya by the state department in 2007. last year he was tasked with a formidable and dangerous assignment, america's point man with rebel forces fighting gadhafi. >> in the early days of the libyan revolution, i asked chris to be our envoy to the rebel opposition. he arrived on a cargo ship in the port of benghazi and began building our relationships with libya's revolutionaries. >> when the fighting stopped and gadhafi was gone, stevens was officially named ambassador to libya. one of the first things he did was create this video with arabic subtitles to reach out to libyans. >> i look forward to exploring those possibilities with you as we work together to build a free, democratic, prosperous libya. >> the deaths of stevens and his three colleagues have sent shock waves through the halls of power, across the nation and around the world. >> i have no doubt that their legacy will li

we have more on how stevens is being remembered, jean? >> dine, people who new stevens who new him and did not know him at all, attended a candle light vigil in his honor tonight. honoring a man professors say is a role model for all students. ♪ ♪ god bless america >> uc hastings college of the law, remembers 1989 graduate, chr chris stevens, he made quite the impression as a student. this professor remembers a vibrant young man. >> doing public service and working to represent our country in a really great way in terms of the highest ideals. so, i was proud. >> first year law student organized this vigil. the marine veteran did not know stevens but feels connect to him. >> to be killed because somebody elsed voiced their opinion. we should have that freedom. and that's what i fought for. >> stevens told the dean of hastings earlier this year, he would return to campus and talk to the students about using a law degree to serve the country. the ambassador cannot carry out that promise, but the students and faculty said they will continue t

stevens and three other americans died in that attack. u.s. officials now believe stevens' death was planned and not the result of actions by a spontaneous mob demonstrating against an online video that ridicules islam's profit muhammad. mike rogers tells cbs -- prophet muhammad. mike rogers tells cbs news it's mightily likely the attack was -- mighty likely the attack was fueled by elements of al-qaeda. >> reporter: a trashed building is all that remains after the attack that killed four americans including ambassador chris stevens. >> the world must stand together to unequivocally reject these brutal acts. >> reporter: tuesday night a mob armed with guns and rocket propelled grenades stormed the building. it's being investigated whether groups with ties to al-qaeda planned the attack. >> make no mistake. we will work with the libyan government to bring to justice the killers who tachyed our people. >> reporter: -- who attacked our people. >> reporter: secretary of state hillary clinton said ambassador stevens risked his life to help build a

ambassador, christopher stevens. says this, quote, we mourn for the families of our countrymen in benghazi and condemn this horrific attack. 11 years after september 11th, this is a jolting reminder that freedom remains under siege by forces around the globe who relish violence overfree expression and terror over democracy and that america and free people everywhere must remain vigilant in the defense of our liberties. that from speaker boehner just moments ago. bill: it is quite remarkable in 24 hours how quickly foreign policy can come to the for front because there is this story that ed henry mentioned moments ago. israel ratcheting up the u.s. on taking a tougher stance against iran on the showdown for the nuclear program. prime minister benjamin netanyahu criticizing the administration for refusing to set a clear deadline what is and is not acceptable beyond which military action would follow, otherwise known as a red line. listen here. >> the world tells israel, wait, there's still time. and i say, wait for wha

my name is chris stevens and i'm the new u.s. ambassador to libya. >> reporter: he's the sixth u.s. ambassador killed in the line of duty. also killed in the attack was sean smith, the father of two served for ten years as an information management officer for the state department. he was also well-known in the online gaming community. this morning a mystery surrounds the online firm that may have prompted the violent protest. cbs news hasn't been able to find any record of sam basil the person identified as the filmmaker. the name may be an ali as. steve kline was involved on the film. he said he has no regrets. >> i could not have done a better job than to point out how dangerous these people are. the blood is on their hands not mine. >> reporter: the film's actors released a joint statement. one identified as cindy said she confronted the filmmaker after seeing the clips on youtube. >> i said why did you do this to us? i said you put us out there. he said, you know, this isn't your fault. he said you tell the world that i did this. that i did this. he was tired of radical muslims

stevens was among four u.s. and plans to die in an assault on u.s. consulate in benghazi and tonight u.s. warships are moving into position off the coast of libya and there is evidence the attack may have been an act of terrorism reporter elizabeth cook shows us how the attack went down and help political leaders are reacting tonight. can u.s. intelligence officials tell cbs news this was not an out of control demonstrations u.s. intelligence suspects the suspect that they took advantage of last month's demonstration against an anti muslim film to launch their assault on the anniversary of 911. >>> a trashed burned out building is all that remains of the u.s. consulate in benghazi. dewis the world must stand together suit rejects these brutal acts. was turned into a four hour gun battle began. stevens went missing his body was not found until after the attack was over. officials did not know whether he was shot to death or suffocated in the smoke. >>> make no mistake we'll work with the libyan government to bring to justice the killers who attacked o

couldn't locate stevens' body.normally find, like at the consulate in cairo. they didn't have bulletproof windows. they didn't have reinforced doors. so questioning why there wasn't the security you would find at typically at a u.s. consulate. >> and clearly, it should be questioned. big wake-up call for all embassies. >>> the romney campaign facing a firestorm of criticism for comments made as the tragedy in libya was still unfolding. romney accusing the obama administration of sympathizing with those who waged the attack, a false charge based from a statement in cairo criticizing the anti-muslim movie. mr. obama responded in an interview with cbs' "60 minutes." >> governor romney seems to have a tendency to shoot first and aim later. as president, one of the things i have learned is you can't do that. >> american leadership is necessary to ensure that events in the region don't spin out of control. >> even some republicans question romney's handling of the issue calling it hasty. top gop lawmakers pointedly decli

but i had gotten to know chris stevens quite well.hris stevens' death, the libyan people have lost someone in their democratic revolution. the american people have lost a selfless and dedicated servant of our interests and values and i have lost a friend. my thoughts and prayers today are with chris's family and the loved ones of his fallen colleagues. may god grant them comfort in their time of grieve. one of my most memorable meetings with chris stevens was last april. as u.s. eninvoice to the libyan opposition, he had traveled to benghazi at great personal risk to represent the country that he loved so much. it was clear that there was no where that chris would rather have been than libya. we spent the day together meeting opposition leaders and many ordinary citizens who spoke about how much the opportunity to finally live in freedom meant to them and how grateful they were for america's support. chris stevens embassy odied that support and his passion for his mission was infectious. i kept in touch with him. i was happy when pres

stevens went back trying to evacuate staff members.rt time ago i got a chance to talk by phone to one of stevens former colleagues at the state department. >> he was one of our best and brightest and more than that he was a really genuine guy who could just you know make even the toughest jobs seem very pleasant just by you know his presence. >> reporter: stevens had been working as a u.s. diplomat to libya since 2007. as far as his background they also received his law degree from hastings college of law in san francisco. and a short time ago the dean of the hastings school of law e- mailed me a statement about stevens death. it said in part obviously he was very saddened by what took place but he also said the ambassador was in his words performing the highest role a lawyer is called upon to perform. that would be public service. we are live this morning in berkeley alex savidge. >>> time now 6:33. overnight news a man is in a san francisco hospital after being attacked with a flashlight nearby golden gate park. this happened about 1

chris stevens, the u.s. ambassador to libya, was killed as the american consulate came under attack. u.s. officials confirm stevens, shaun smyth, and two other americans, were killed as they try to evacuate staff members from the complex. shall make no mistake, we will work with the libyan government to bring to justice the killers who attacked at people. >> gunman armed with automatic weapons stormed the consulate overnight. a mob of mostly conservative muslims was protesting an american they felt that they believe insults' the profit muhammed. >> this is an attack that should shock the conscience of people of all faiths. >> stevens was a career diplomat who had already served two tours in libya. the unrest started in egypt, where demonstrators scaled a wall of the u.s. embassy and tore down the american flag, all in the name of religion. republican white house hopeful mitt romney accused the obama administration of sending mixed signals about condemning the attacks. >> administration was wrong to stand by

ambassador john christopher stevens. president obama and secretary of state hillary clinton are calling it an act of senseless violence. >> video from last night shows the scene with the compound and several vehicles in flames. stevens was leaving the consulate as it was stormed by protesters as they were upset over the video of prophet muhammad. stevens was named ambassador to libya this year. both president obama and hillary clinton praised his efforts to help the new libyan government. >> at the height of the libyan revolution, chris led our diplomatic post in benghazi with skill, courage and resolve. he built partnerships. >> i risked his life to stop a tyrant and gave his life trying to help build a better libya. the world needs more chris stevens'. >> libya's interim government has condemned the attack. >> marla, as we mentioned, the death of stevens has hit close to home in the bay area. >> he was a graduate of piedmont high school and u.c. berkeley. we have christie smith live from cal with more on his life and s

chris stevens, i've heard wonderful things about. this is dangerous duty. particularly now, increasingly your life is not on the embassy circuit. you have to get out in the field in these countries which are like the wild west. people like chris stevens are regularly putting their lives at risk. >> richard haass, we'll see you in a few minutes on "morning joe." >>> we turn to cairo. nbc news chief foreign correspondent richard engel is there on the phone with the latest. what can you tell us this morning? >> reporter: there's been another attack as you've been discussing in wrem men as an angry mob tried to climb the fence, was throwing stones at the u.s. embassy in sanaa. they set tires on fire. they were raising posters again denouncing that formerly obscure internet movie, if you can describe it as that, that it was insulting to the prophet muhammad. it has moved to yet another country. yesterday there were small demonstrations in front of tunisia, other ones in the gaza strip. it hasn't been a massive international movement, but wherever there is weak s

ambassador to libya, chris stevens. we are still making next of kin notifications for the other two individuals. this is an attack that should shock the conscience of people of all faiths around the world. we condemn in the strongest terms this senseless act of violence and we send our prayers to the families, friends, and colleagues of those we have lost. all over the world every day america's diplomats and slefment experts -- development experts risk their lives in the service of our country and our values. because they believe that the united states must be a force for peace and progress in the world. that these aspirations are worth striving and sacrificing for. alongside our men and women in uniform, they represent the best traditions of a bold and generous nation. in the lobby of this building, the state department, the names of those who have fallen in the line of duty are inscribed in marble. our hearts rake over each one and now because of this tragedy we have new heroes to honor and more friends to mourn. chri

stevens had been trying to evacuate staffers from the u.s. consulate when gunmen with automatic weapons and rocket- propelled grenades stormed the lightly guarded compound and set it on fire. the identity of the attackers and their motivations remained murky. but in washington, white house officials said militants tied to al qaeda may have used protests against an anti-islam film as a diversion. this morning, president obama, with secretary of state clinton at his side, praised the slain ambassador. >> it's especially tragic that chris stevens died in benghazi because it is a city that he helped to save. at the height of the libyan revolution, chris led our diplaticost in benazi.

what is being investigated is where stevens was killed, and by whom. >> you knew that compound. was it secure? >> at the time i knew that compound in 2011 the security seemed to be fine. clearly circumstances changed. >> the demonstration was one of several protests that day. and u.s. officials are working to determine if a militant group pan add packs -- planned the attacks. in a you tube video the department staift made toin produce stevens he spoke about how he looked forward to working with the country's new leadership. >> he was born into this work. >> he would die doing it. he is convinced the work was not in vain. >> he took great pride inputting himself in another person's shoe autos stevens raised in piedmont and educated in the bay area, spending most of his career in the arab world, completing two tours in libya. and there is a home of the family is quiet today. they made the trip to retrieve his body and plan for a funeral. for those who knew him, understanding what happened and why may be difficult but his friend says they deserve an answer. >> by the u.s. governmen

before stevens left the u.s., he spoke with steven browning. >> very earnest, and somewhat humbled by the task was about to undertake. i think he was very conscious of the enormity of the task. >> reporter: it was a dream come true for the bay area native. >> he was just a great, all around guy. one of those guys from school that just stood out. >> reporter: stevens graduated from the uc berkely in 1982 with a history major. >> it was a big shock. >> reporter: his former professor, david lavine remembers him as a confident man trying to promote peace. >> for the ambassador to go to that conflict, that shows you what kind of a guy he was. it just was completely unnecessary, of the sense of within his job description, but completely necessary in terms of the kind of guy he was. >> reporter: friends came with flowers today. >> i don't have much to offer today, but just as a friend reach out. >> reporter: stevens never married. his mother said he was a great son, uncle, and man. they will be flying to washington, d.c. tomorrow to prepare for the arrival of her son's body coming home. jana