American Fighting for ISIS Killed in Syria

Death confirmed by White House

An American who lived in Minnesota and San Diego was killed in Syria, where he had gone to fight alongside terrorists, officials say.

A national security spokeswoman at the White House, Caitlin Hayden, confirmed the death of Douglas McCain, 33, and said Tuesday that U.S. officials had been aware of his presence in Syria.

McCain had traveled to Syria to join a militant group, believed to be the Islamic State, Associated Press reported, citing a U.S. official who declined to be identified by name and spoke only on condition of anonymity.

"We were aware of U.S. Citizen Douglas McAuthur McCain's presence in Syria and can confirm his death,'' Hayden said. "We continue to use every tool we possess to disrupt and dissuade individuals from traveling abroad for violent jihad and to track and engage those who return."