WASHINGTON (AP) — A U.S. official says an American man reported to have been killed in Syria was there to fight alongside a terrorist group, most likely the Islamic State.

The official said Tuesday that investigators were aware that Douglas McArthur McCain of San Diego had traveled to the country to join a militant group.

Reports indicate McClain lived in Minnesota for at least 8 years and graduated from Robbinsdale Cooper High School in New Hope.

A relative, Kenneth McCain, said the State Department had called his family to report that Douglas McCain had been killed in Syria.

The official said investigators did not yet have McCain's body and were still trying to verify information about his death.

The official was not authorized to discuss by name an ongoing investigation and spoke only on condition of anonymity.

More From KROC-AM