American Douglas McAuthur McCain dies fighting alongside ISIS in Syria

An American jihadist allegedly linked to ISIS was killed over the weekend during heavy fighting in Aleppo, Syria, the White House announced Tuesday.

The Free Syrian Army claimed on Twitter that Douglas McAuthur McCain, a 33-year-old rapper, was one of several foreign militants who died during a clash. After confirming his death, Caitlin Hayden, a spokesperson for the National Security Council, said, "We continue to use every tool we possess to dissuade individuals from traveling abroad for violent jihad and to track and engage those who return."

McCain was born in Chicago and lived in Minnesota for several years before moving to San Diego. On Twitter, McCain's profile name was "Duale ThaslaveofAllah," and he said he converted to Islam about 10 years ago, calling it "the best thing that has ever happened." McCain's family was notified on Monday about his death, NBC News says, and on Facebook, a woman named Delecia McCain, who says she was McCain's sister, wrote, "I really don't understand why and how and I have no words. I never thought this will be the way say goodbye... This is absolutely unreal to me I love you big brother."

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Read more about McCain and how he made his way to Syria at NBC News.