Oscar-nominated director Tim Hetherington, best known for co-directing the documentary film “Restrepo” about the Afghanistan war, was tragically killed when he and his group were hit by mortar fire in Libya.

The 41 year-old and his team were documenting the Libyan civil war when they were injured by a rocket propelled grenade in a skirmish between rebels and government forces. One of the photographers, Chris Hondros, suffered a critical brain wound, but there is no official report on his current condition.

Hetherington was rushed to the hospital with extensive shrapnel wounds. Unfortunately, the director did not resist and was pronounced dead as soon as he arrived. A few hours before his death, Hetherington tweeted, “In besieged Libyan city of Misrata. Indiscriminate shelling by Qaddafi forces. No sign of NATO.”

The Hetherington family released the following statement:

“It is with great sadness we learned that our son and brother photographer and filmmaker Tim Hetherington was killed today in Misrata, Libya by a rocket-propelled grenade. Tim will be remembered for his amazing images and Academy Award nominated documentary ‘Restrepo’ which he co-produced with his friend Sebastian Junger. Tim was in Libya to continue his ongoing multimedia project to highlight humanitarian issues during time of war and conflict. He will be forever missed.”

R.I.P. Tim Hetherington.