ISIS Beheads Journalist, Threatens to Kill Miami Reporter if Obama Continues Attacks | Riptide 2.0 | Miami | Miami New Times | The Leading Independent News Source in Miami, Florida
Navigation

ISIS Beheads Journalist, Threatens to Kill Miami Reporter if Obama Continues Attacks

Terrorists have just released a video that appears to show them beheading missing American journalist James Foley. The video, apparently released by insurgent group the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), also shows a man described as local freelance reporter Steven Sotloff. Sotloff is a University of Central Florida...
Share this:

Terrorists have just released a video that appears to show them beheading missing American journalist James Foley.

The video, apparently released by insurgent group the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), also shows a man described as local freelance reporter Steven Sotloff.

Sotloff is a University of Central Florida alumnus who grew up in Miami. In the video, his hands are cuffed behind his back and he's dressed in a bright-orange jumpsuit. A man with a knife threatens to kill him unless President Barack Obama calls off American airstrikes against ISIS.

On his Twitter profile, Sotloff describes himself as a "stand-up philosopher from Miami" who has worked for Time and other media outlets.

The profile suggests he has been missing for as long as a year. His last tweet was August 3, 2013. His profile also suggests he was in Libya at that time.

When New Times phoned a Pinecrest residence registered to Sotloff's father, Arthur, a man answered and said, "I really can't talk to you about anything" and hung up. Further calls were not returned.

In the extremely graphic video posted on YouTube this afternoon, a man dressed in black bemoans the American air assault against ISIS. Then he appears to cut Foley's throat. The next image appears to be of Foley's severed head.

The ISIS member then appears onscreen holding Sotloff and threatening to execute him as well.

"The life of this American citizen, Obama, depends on your next decision," the man says.

Send your tips to the author, or follow him on Twitter @MikeMillerMiami.

Follow Miami New Times on Facebook and Twitter @MiamiNewTimes.

BEFORE YOU GO...
Can you help us continue to share our stories? Since the beginning, Miami New Times has been defined as the free, independent voice of Miami — and we'd like to keep it that way. Our members allow us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls.