On Tuesday, the world was once again shocked at the brutal execution of a second American journalist, Steven Sotloff, at the hands of ISIS. His death comes less than a week after his mother released a video pleading with the militant group to spare her son's life.

Sotloff was first spotted in an ISIS video released two weeks ago showing the brutal execution of fellow American journalist James Foley. In the footage, the terrorists threatened to kill Sotloff next if President Barack Obama didn't put an end to U.S. intervention in Iraq and Syria.

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Tuesday's video marked an equally heartbreaking and horrifying event as Sotloff was executed before the eyes of the entire globe. According to the militants, the young journalist's execution is in retaliation for U.S. airstrikes against the group.  

Those who knew the intrepid reporter personally described him as someone who "wasn't chasing headlines," but who was a journalist who cared deeply about the story.

He was labeled as someone who desired to tell stories from the perspective of the average citizen and who was fascinated by the wide-spread change taking place across the Middle East.

The 31-year-old freelance journalist traveled to Libya in October 2012, later making his way to Syria where he reported on the lives of the destitute and those affected and displaced by the ongoing conflict across the nation.

During his stint there, Sotloff wrote to a colleague and talked about how difficult things were, stating that "no one wants freelance because of the kidnappings."

Despite the looming danger the job posed, Sotloff still chose to return to Syria in August 2013, soon after which he fell into the hands of ISIS militants.

Emmerson Lotzia, a university friend who roomed with Sotloff when they were both studying at the University of Central Florida, captured the emotions surely felt by family and friends faced with the distressing loss by tweeting:

"Devastated and crushed. Steve was an amazing friend. Lucky to have him in my life. Heart is heavy for his family."

Without a doubt, Sotloff's brave approach to getting to the root of the story, despite the dangers involved, is imminent proof that the pen can be mightier than the sword.

TagsISIS, Steven Sotloff, sotloff, execution video, james foley, foley