Video Purports To Show Beheading Of Local Journalist
MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) - An internet video purports to show the beheading of U.S. journalist, and South Florida native, Steven Sotloff by the Islamic State group.
Sotloff, whose parents live in Pinecrest, is a freelance journalist who writes for several news publications including Time magazine. He was kidnapped back in August 2013 near the Syrian-Turkish border.
A family spokesperson said Tuesday afternoon that Sotloff's relatives aware of beheading video by Islamic State and are grieving.
"The family knows of this horrific tragedy and is grieving privately. There will be no public comment from the family during this difficult time," said Barak Barfi, the spokesman said.
Click here to watch Lauren Pastrana's report.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, condemned the reported murder Sotloff by the terrorist group Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).|
"No words can describe the horror, disgust and sorrow felt by Muslims in America and worldwide at the unconscionable and un-Islamic violence perpetrated by the terror group ISIS. The criminal actions of ISIS are antithetical to the faith of Islam."
READ: Leaders React To Video Of Apparent Beheading Of Local Journalist
Sotloff, 31, appeared last month released by ISIS which showed the beheading of fellow American journalist James Foley.
Dressed in an orange jumpsuit against the backdrop of an arid Syrian landscape, Sotloff was threatened in that video with death unless the U.S. stopped airstrikes on the group in Iraq.
In the video distributed Tuesday and entitled "A Second Message to America," a man who appears to be Sotloff appears in a similar jumpsuit before he is beheaded by an Islamic State fighter.
U.S. Senator Bill Nelson released a comment on the apparent beheading the journalist Tuesday afternoon, "Our hearts go out to the family and friends of Steven Sotloff. Let there be no doubt, we must go after ISIS right away because the U.S. is the only one that can put together a coalition to stop this group that's intent on barbaric cruelty."
Last week Shirley Sotloff, Steven Sotloff's mother, broke her silence with a video plea for mercy for the safe return of her son.
The video of Shirley Sotloff, obtained by CNN, was sent to a number of media outlets and was broadcast morning on Al Arabiya Network. In the video message, Sotloff's mother made a direct appeal to the Islamic extremists holding her son.
READ: Mother Of South Florida Journalist Held By ISIS Makes Plea To Leader
READ: Family, Friends Of South Florida Journalist Held By ISIS Pray For His Safety
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