The former San Diego City College student turned guerilla fighter for the Islamic State of Iraq and al Sham (ISIS) last lived in Spring Valley with his family, NBC 7 has learned.
The final local address known for Douglas McCain, who was killed in a gun battle in Syria over the weekend, is a small apartment that he shared with his mother, brother and sister.
He was employed as a care worker before suddenly leaving in March, his former patient told NBC 7.
His family is staying out of the spotlight for now, not coming to the door and declining interviews. Their apartment was locked up tight with blinds drawn when NBC 7 arrived.
The person who answered our knocks would not identify herself but said McCain's brother Marchello and mother Judie were not available to talk.
A neighbor who did not want to be named identified McCain as one of the people often coming and going from the residence.
Spring Valley is just minutes from McCain's favorite places. Residents in the area of 54th Street and University Avenue say he spent a lot of time in the Somali community there.
He worked at a restaurant called African Spice in the Safari Market and was known around the Masjid Nur Mosque on 50th street in El Cajon.
Julie McDaniel says McCain was always friendly and good natured, which makes the way he died so mysterious.
“I could never imagine that person being so close and walking by my door everyday or seeing him every other day or often saying hi to this person,” said McDaniel.
A friend of McCain tells NBC 7 the man was married and had a child.
McDaniel says there were several men, women and children entering and leaving his apartment and that it is difficult to tell who lives there and who is visiting.
