US student killed in Egypt violence identified as Andrew Pochter, 21

The US State Department has identified the American student killed in renewed violence in Egypt as 21-year-old Andrew Pochter.

Pochter, of Chevy Chase, Maryland, was in Alexandria to teach English and improve his Arabic, according to his family. Clashes between supporters and opponents of president Mohamed Morsi became violent this week ahead of a planned mass demonstration.

"He went to Egypt because he cared profoundly about the Middle East, and he planned to live and work there in the pursuit of peace and understanding," the family said in a statement.

The State Department said Saturday it did not have information on the circumstances surrounding Pochter's death, but the family said: "As we understand it, he was witnessing the protest as a bystander and was stabbed by a protester."

Pochter's family said he was entering his junior year at Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, and he planned to spend his spring semester in Jordan. The school confirmed Pochter was interning at the non-profit organization Amideast.

"Andrew was a wonderful young man looking for new experiences in the world and finding ways to share his talents while he learned," his family said. "Andrew cared deeply about his family and his friends."

At least two people were killed in Friday's clashes, as opposing protesters took to the streets ahead of a mass protests against president Morsi scheduled for Sunday.

The State Department updated travel warnings to Egypt for its citizens on Friday, advising people "to defer non-essential travel to Egypt at this time due to the continuing possibility of political and social unrest." The department also authorized the departure of non-emergency government employees and family members from the country.

Spokesmen from both sides of the clashes blamed the other side for the renewed violence. Opposition activists claim 15 million people have signed a petition in favor of Morsi's removal while Morsi supporters say more than 11 million signed one supporting him.

The military has said it may intervene if protests reach the scale and length of those that drove Egypt's 2011 uprising.