Lyra McKee, a journalist and LGBTQ advocate described by others in her field as a "rising star," was fatally shot while reporting on the ground at a conflict in Northern Ireland.

According to Sky News, McKee, 29, was shot in the head while covering violent riots in the streets of Londonderry, Northern Ireland, this Thursday, April 18.

McKee later died of her injuries at a nearby hospital. Detectives believe the New IRA—a dissident Irish Republican group determined to unite the Republic of Ireland and the U.K.'s Northern Ireland by use of force—was responsible for her death, reports the Associated Press.

Rioters, who took to the streets of Londonderry's Creggan area after a police raid, also unleashed at least 50 gas bombs and set two cars on fire, marking the latest outbreak of violence in the decades-long conflict, known as the "Troubles."

According to Reuters, Northern Irish police are treating the militant protests as a terrorist attack and have opened a murder investigation following McKee's death.

McKee, who rose to prominence when she penned a letter to her 14-year-old self about growing up gay in Belfast, was named one of Forbes magazine's 30 Under 30 in media in 2016. She was slated to publish a book in 2020.

She is survived by her partner, Sara Canning (pictured above), who spoke poignantly about her lost potential at a vigil after McKee's death.

"It has left so many friends without their confidante,” Canning said, adding that the murder “has left me without the love of my life, the woman I was planning to grow old with.”

In a statement, U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May called McKee's death "shocking and truly senseless"; "My deepest condolences go to her family, friends, and colleagues. She was a journalist who died doing her job with great courage."

Leo Varadkar, Ireland's openly gay prime minister, also condemned McKee's death.