Douglas McCain is the American citizen who was killed while fighting for ISIS in Syria, according to a report from NBC News. His uncle, Ken McCain, told CNN that the State Department confirmed on August 25 to his family that Douglas McCain had been killed in fighting in Syria.
Here’s what we know so far:
1. He Went by the Name ‘Duale ThaslaveofAllah’ on Facebook
According to his Facebook page, on which he uses the moniker “Duale ThaslaveofAllah,” McCain was a native of Illinois but grew up and graduated high school in Minnesota. Prior to moving to Syria, McCain had been living in San Diego. He also writes on social media that he graduated Robbinsdale Cooper High School in New Hope, Minnesota and that he attended San Diego City College at some point.
At around 3 p.m. on August 26, hours after news of McCain’s death broke, his Facebook profile picture was changed by a woman claiming to be his wife.
2. He Was an Aspiring Rapper
Friends who spoke to NBC News, described McCain as an aspiring rapper who loved basketball. He had taken a trip to Sweden a few years ago to record a song. On his Facebook page, McCain has a number for friends from Scandinavia.
3. McCain Converted to Islam in 2004
(Facebook)
On his Twitter feed, McCain wrote in June 2014 that he had converted to Islam way back in 2004 and was raised Christian.
I reverted to Islam 10 years ago and I must say In sha Allah I will never look back the best thing that ever happen to me
— Duale Khalid (@iamthetooth) May 15, 2014
CNN Jim Sciutto tweeted that McCain was known to U.S. officials and was on a terror watch list.
A friend told NBC that McCain respected other religions greatly.
NBC San Diego reportssan that McCain was known to attend a mosque in the City Heights neighborhood and worked at a Somali restaurant in Rolando. The restaurant, African Spice, was located here inside the Safari Market on 54th street in the Rolando neighborhood of San Diego.
4. He Traveled to Syria via Turkey
Sometime after April 2014, McCain traveled to Turkey, according to NBC, from there he took the trip to Syria. Ken McCain when speaking to CNN that his family were “devastated” by the radicalization that Douglas McCain had undergone and that they were “just as surprised as the country” that he went to fight in Syria. His family also told CNN that they knew he was traveling to Turkey but didn’t know that he would continue on to Syria. On August 26, McCain’s sister posted a tribute to her brother on Facebook:
5. Along With His Passport, He Had $800 in Cash
He was killed by Syrian forces after a gun battle, as the soldiers went through the clothes of the victims, they found McCain’s U.S. Passport along with $800 in cash. McCain was killed sometime between August 22-24. The heaviest fighting in Syria during those days was at the Tabqa military air base, according to Al-Jazeera.