Wichita State University is mourning the death of undergraduate student Abduljaleel Alarbash, who has been identified as one of four people killed Friday in a mosque bombing in eastern Saudi Arabia.
Alarbash, 22, an undergraduate at the Kansas university, died when an Islamic State jihadist dressed as a woman blew himself up at Friday prayers in the eastern Saudi Gulf city of Dammam. Alarbash's cousin was also reportedly killed.
There were conflicting reports about details of the bombing, the second such attack on a Shi'ite mosque in the region in as many weeks.
Saudi security officials initially claimed to have foiled the attack. But one witness later told the Associated Press that the bomber triggered the explosion while chased by civilian guards attempting to stop a vehicle from entering the women's side of the mosque. Alarbash and his cousin were thought to be among the volunteer guards.
A university statement said Alarbash had returned to his homeland to get married and was set to resume classes later this year in electrical engineering.
Twenty-one Shi'ite worshippers were killed and dozens more were wounded at Friday prayers May 22 in the nearby Saudi city of of Qatif. Islamic State extremists also claimed responsibility for that attack.
