The BBC is reporting that a reporter for the U.S.-funded Al-Hurra network was killed Saturday in Basra -- along with his three-year-old son.

An excerpt:

Journalist Abdul Hussein Khazal, 40, and his three-year-old son, Muhammad, were killed as they left their house in Basra at 0900 local time (0600 GMT).

As well as working as a correspondent for al-Hurra and Iraq's Radio Sawa, Khazal was the head of the press service at Basra city council, editor of a Basra newspaper and a member of the Shia Dawa Party.

Mouafac Harb, vice president and news director for al-Hurra, said: "Abdul Hussein was a dedicated and respected journalist, who was an integral part of the al-Hurra and Radio Sawa team.

"He will be truly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time."