Islamic State Video Claims To Show Killing Of Aid Worker, Indianapolis Native

The so-called Islamic State released a video early Sunday morning that claims to show the killing of an Indianapolis native and aid worker who was captured at a Syrian checkpoint last October.

The 16-minute video shows the aftermath of a beheading, although the victim is not clearly recognizable. The black-clad executioner with a British accent who has appeared in all previous videos showing the killings of U.S. and British nationals claims the victim is Abdul-Rahman Kassig, formerly Peter Kassig.

Ed and Paula Kassig, Abdul-Rahman’s parents, issued this statement to the news media today:

“We are aware of the news reports being circulated about our treasured son and are waiting for confirmation from the government as to the authenticity of these reports. We will have no other statement at this time and ask that you please respect our privacy.

“The family respectfully asks that the news media avoid playing into the hostage takers’ hands and refrain from publishing or broadcasting photographs or video distributed by the hostage takers. 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.”

Several media outlets report that the U.S. government has not confirmed the authenticity of the video, which also shows the beheading of Syrian soldiers at the hand of supposed Islamic State militants dressed in camouflage.

Kassig, 26, was taken captive at a militant checkpoint along the Turkey-Syria border last October. He was delivering medical supplies to Syrian civilians affected by that country’s civil war when he was apprehended.

The Islamic State named Kassig its next target for beheading in a video released early last month showing the killing of British aid worker Alan Henning.