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'American Jihadist' Eric Harroun Dies at 31

He was found unresponsive and declared dead at the scene by paramedics; an autopsy will be conducted over the next two days.
Photo Courtesy of Eric Harroun

Eric Harroun, the US Army vet who went to Syria to fight with the Free Syrian Army died Tuesday, according to his family.

Harroun, 31, was found unresponsive and declared dead at his father's home in Phoenix, Ariz. Wednesday afternoon. An autopsy will be conducted over the next two days.

"With deep sorrow, we regret to inform you of our beloved Eric Harroun's death. He will be missed by his family, friends, and many people around the world his life has touched," his family members posted on Harroun's Facebook page.

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After spending two months fighting, Harroun, who was also as known as the "American Jihadist" returned to Istanbul where he voluntarily briefed members of the US Consulate including the FBI, CIA and even federal prosecutors on his activities and his interest in arranging support and weapons for the U.S. backed rebels.

Instead of helping to provide weapons and support to the FSA via Harroun, the FBI arrested him, charged him with terrorism and put him in solitary confinement for six months in a U.S. prison.

The center point of the government’s allegations were that Harroun fought with al Nusra, an al Qaeda linked group.

The American Jihadist: Eric Harroun In His Own Words. Watch here.

When a film showing Harroun with a group of fighters was entered by the FBI as evidence was translated, it turned out that Harroun was actually with a group called al Nasr, a group not affiliated with any terrorist groups.

Harroun agreed to a plea bargain for a charge of “failing to get a license to export weapons.” He was released for time served and on probation.

Read the FBI affidavit filed in US District Court Eastern District of Virginia on March 28, 2013:

Harroun affidavit

A few days before his death, Harroun was looking forward to getting an early parole release and returning to Syria to fight.

Harroun is survived by his father Darryl, his mother Sue and his sister.