American is killed at popular Beijing tourist site

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BEIJING -- A relative of a U.S. Olympic men’s indoor volleyball coach was killed Saturday in an attack by a knife-wielding Chinese man at a popular tourist attraction three miles from the main Olympic Stadium, according to reports by the U.S. Olympic Committee and state media.

The USOC, which planned a press conference for Saturday night, did not reveal names of the coach or the victim.

Media reports said that two U.S. tourists, both relatives of the coach, were attacked while visiting the 13th Century Drum Tower. No information was released on the condition of the second victim.

The lone assailant reportedly committed suicide by jumping from the second story of the site.

The attack came around midday Saturday amid heavy security, which has been on heightened alert because of the Olympics.

-- Randy Harvey