Al-Sharaabi, a photojournalist for the independent weekly Al-Masdar, was one of at least 44 civilians killed when government security forces opened fire on a peaceful demonstration in a square outside the main gate of Sana'a University, according to news reports.
Al-Sharaabi was shot in the face. The 35-year-old father of four was the first confirmed media fatality the political unrest that began in Yemen in January.