Douglas McAuthur McCain was “not a terrorist,” one of his cousins told NBC News after it emerged that the former care worker died fighting with ISIS in northern Syria. As first reported by NBC News, McCain was killed in a battle on Sunday. Kanyata McCain said she would “never believe” her cousin, “a regular person,” would be involved with jihad or a terrorist group. “My cousin is not a terrorist, no,” she said. “He’s, like, a loving person. He’s not a terrorist.”
Kanyata McCain spoke of her cousin’s "strong faith" but insisted he was “not radical.” Her 33-year-old cousin – who was also known as Duale – had “met some Somalian guys” who might have contributed to his conversion, she added.
IN-DEPTH
- American Dies Fighting for ISIS in Syria
- 'Concrete Threat': Should U.S. Fear American ISIS Fighters?
- Dozens of U.S. Extremists Are Fighting in Syria
