Ryan Lock, from Chichester, who has been killed in northern Syria. © Family handout
BBC: Briton Ryan Lock 'killed himself' to avoid IS capture
A Briton fighting in Syria "turned the gun on himself" to avoid being taken prisoner by so-called Islamic State, Kurdish sources have told the BBC.
Ryan Lock, 20, from Chichester in West Sussex, died on 21 December during a battle for the IS group's stronghold of Raqqa.
He was fighting as a volunteer with the Kurdish armed fighting forces, the YPG.
The YPG told the BBC that "trace of a gunshot wound was found under the chin", suggesting suicide.
Sources said five fighters came under siege by IS - also known as ISIS - in the village of Ja'bar, and they showed "considerable resistance" before they were killed.
After the bodies were retrieved examinations showed that "it seems that the British fighter committed suicide in order not to fall captive with Isis".
A report said the gunshot wound indicated "that the gun made contact with the bottom of the chin".
"This suggests that the fighter committed suicide," it concluded.
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More News On British Anti-ISIS Fighter Ryan Lock 'Committed Suicide' To Avoid Capture By The Islamic State
Briton killed while fighting against Isis in Syria -- The Guardian
British man fighting Isis 'shot himself' to avoid being taken hostage -- The Independent
British Anti-ISIS Fighter 'Shot Himself' to Avoid Capture: Kurds -- Newsweek
Two foreign YPG volunteers died in Syria four days before Christmas -- RUDAW
War Against ISIS: UK Fighter Ryan Lock Kills Himself Before Islamic State Capture In Syria -- International Business Times
British anti-ISIS fighter Ryan Lock ‘committed suicide to avoid capture,’ says Kurdish militia -- RT
