Report: Tim Kennedy shot three times while working in private security in Democratic Republic of Congo

Former UFC fighter Tim Kennedy was shot dead while working in a private security detail in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

According to a Reuters report, Kennedy worked under contract for Vectus Global, a private security and logistics company. According to the report, in mid-September, Kennedy’s team was ambushed by enemy forces, resulting in 20 casualties, including seven deaths. Kennedy was shot three times in the leg, but survived the attack and is now being treated at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland.

Vectus Global was founded by Erik Prince, who also founded Blackwater, a controversial private military company that rose to prominence during the Iraq War before being disbanded. Vectus Global has reportedly signed a deal worth $300 million to $400 million over five years to secure mining operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and is currently in negotiations to provide technical and logistical support to Congo’s military aircraft and drones.

Kennedy is also a former member of the U.S. Army Special Forces, serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. He is also a former Strikeforce and UFC fighter, and has competed twice for the Strikeforce middleweight title, failing both times. He retired from MMA in 2017.