ISIS Claims to Have Beheaded American Aid Worker Abdul-Rahman Kassig

According to the BBC, new video posted online purports to show ISIS militants beheading U.S. aid worker Abdul-Rahman Kassig.

American officials are working to determine the authenticity of the video, which reportedly also includes mass beheading of Syrian troops.

Kassig’s family, based in Indiana, released a statement about their “treasured son”: “We prefer our son is written about and remembered for his important work and the love he shared with friends and family, not in the manner the hostage takers would use to manipulate Americans and further their cause.”

The victim, a former U.S. soldier, was born Peter Kassig, but converted to Islam and changed his first name while in captivity. That apparently was not enough to save him.

Watch the initial report via CNN, below:

UPDATE – 04:51 p.m.: Watch the report on Obama’s statement via CNN, below:

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