U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder announces Washington is bent on killing or capturing the militant who has become popularly known as "Jihadi John."

The wanted man is an Islamic State militant who stood in front of the camera while recording a couple of hostage-beheading footage.

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On Thursday, the mysterious "Jihadi John" was identified to be Mohammed Emwazi, a man who used to live with his family in west London whom counter terror officials in Britain kept an eye on in 2010.

The attorney general said in a vow that was made public, the U.S. will hold accountable all the usual suspects who have taken responsibility for heinous, barbaric acts. He said the mission is something that security forces are focused on each and every day.

Holder declined to confirm if Emwazi was indeed the Islamic State militant in videos. He said nothing could be "served" by identifying him.

Holder has said that the government has been looking into plans on weekdays to either kill or capture "Jihadi John."

Emwazi was the likely Islamic State propagandist, based on accounts from friends and human rights workers on the case. Two U.S. government officials confirmed on Thursday that investigators believe the man is indeed Emwazi.

Media reports said Emwazi was born in Kuwait and finished computer programming studies at London's University of Westminster. The college confirmed that an alumnus of that name graduated six years ago.

In a statement, the university said if reports about Emwazi are true, then the institution is "shocked and sickened" by the news.

The British media had reported that intelligence officials had already identified the man but they did not go public with his name due to operational considerations. Emwazi was also reported to have visited Syria in 2012. 

TagsJihadi John, Eric Holder, ISIS, Mohammed Emwazi