San Diego man reportedly killed while fighting for ISIS
LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A San Diego man recruited by ISIS was reportedly killed fighting for the militant group in Syria. The exact details of his death are still coming out.
ABC News says 33-year-old Douglas McAuthur McCain, who grew up in Minnesota and went to college in San Diego, was killed in a battle with a rival group in northern Syria near the Turkish border.
The U.S. State Department reportedly told McCain's family about the death Monday, but it's slow to confirm any details.
"Given this information just came out publicly, I'm not in a position to confirm the details or identity in the reports from the podium," said State Department Spokesperson Jen Psaki. "We are in contact with the family."
McCain's uncle says his nephew converted from Christianity to Islam several years ago and his online posts had become increasingly sympathetic to the Islamist terror group.
CNN says U.S. counterterrorism investigators had been looking into McCain's activities for some time before his death.
All this as President Obama authorizes surveillance flights over Syria to monitor ISIS militants.
The terrorist organization has been gaining ground in Iraq and Syria. Just last week ISIS executed American journalist James Foley.
Tuesday, President Obama vowed justice for Foley.
"America does not forget. Our reach is long. We are patient. Justice will be done. We have proved time and time again we will do what's necessary to capture those who harm Americans," said Obama.
U.S. and British authorities are scrambling to track down Foley's executioner, reportedly focusing now on a young London-based rapper known as "L Jinny" who has joined ISIS.
L Jinny's most recent social media posting shows the severed head of a Syrian soldier, saying "beheading is the only cure."
Fears are growing about the threat to other American hostages held by ISIS.
One family says their daughter, a 26-year-old woman who was working at a hospital in Syria, was kidnapped a year ago.
ISIS has said they'll release her on two conditions: the release of a Pakistani doctor and a $6.6-million ransom.
