The Attack on the American Mission in Benghazi, Libya

The American mission in Benghazi, Libya, was attacked twice on the night of Sept. 11, 2012. Below, the events that evening that resulted in the deaths of Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and three other Americans according to the latest information available.

Sept. 11, 9:30 p.m. Benghazi time

Militants, firing guns and rocket-propelled grenades, attack the main compound, moving on multiple entrances at once. The main entrance is protected by three armed and four unarmed Libyan guards. No more than seven Americans are in the compound, including three civilians and four who have guns. Mr. Stevens is alone in the main building, according to guards interviewed later. The militants enter the compound, backed by truck-mounted artillery.

Staff building

damaged

in attack

Offices

damaged

in attack

Main compound

Main building

(residence)

Possible

third gate

Gate

Main gate

Second compound

0.5 miles

Main compound

Main compound

Ambassador Stevens

is found in this

building

Two American security

officers were killed

near the gate.

Staff retreated to this

building, which was hit

by mortar rounds.

Second

compound

Second compound

Main compound

North

By ALAN McLEAN, SERGIO PEÇANHA, ARCHIE TSE and LISA WAANANEN |

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Sources: Satellite image by Geoeye/EyeQ; State Department; interviews with witnesses; Mohammad Hannon, a photographer with The Associated Press

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