The militant group known as the Islamic State has released a video that appears to show the killing of U.S. Journalist and Florida native Steven Sotloff.
Sotloff is the second journalist killed by the group also known as ISIS. Two weeks ago militants threatened to kill Steven Sotloff if the US didn’t cease air strikes on ISIS.
The threat was made in a video that appeared to show the killing of U.S. journalist James Foley.
University of Central Florida Political Science Professor Paul Vasquez says the outcome may not be what ISIS expects.
“In the long run the attention they may be getting may not be the kind attention they desire. If history is a lesson, it is likely to provoke a counter reaction that they are not prepared militarily to deal with,” says Vasquez.
Sotloff disappeared in August 2013 in Syria where he had been freelancing for Time and The Christian Science Monitor.
He attended UCF from 2002 to 2004.
Senator Bill Nelson released a statement urging the U.S. to form a coalition and go after ISIS right away.
“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,” Nelson said in a statement from his office.
