A new graphic video by the Islamic State group claims that U.S. aid worker Peter Kassig has been beheaded. In the nearly 16-minute video uploaded to social networks on Sunday, a black-clad militant with his face concealed stands before a severed head that he claims is that of the U.S. aid worker. Kassig, 26, was captured last year while helping provide medical aid to Syrians. His friends say he converted to Islam in captivity and changed his name to Abdul-Rahman. The video also showed what appeared to be the mass beheading of several captured Syrian soldiers. It was not immediately possible to confirm that Kassig was pictured in the video. Family representatives were not immediately available for comment.
The White House said the U.S. intelligence community was working to determine the authenticity of a video. National Security Council spokeswoman Bernadette Meehan said that if the video was authentic, the White House would be "appalled by the brutal murder of an innocent American."
